Ladakh on Monday observed a shutdown to press for the demands of statehood, constitutional guarantees on protecting local interests and increase in number of Parliament seats.
A spokesman of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), a conglomerate of several political, social, religious and student organisations, said the bandh was to press for the demand of granting statehood, constitutional safeguards, two Lok Sabha seats and a Raj Sabha seat.
“Besides, we want filling up of 10,000 to 12,000 vacancies to overcome unemployment,” the spokesman said.
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Even after two years of Ladakh being carved out as a Union Territory from the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir, there have been no let-up in protests, with the locals demanding special constitutional guarantees to protect local jobs, land, environment and culture.
Monday’s bandh call was also supported by the Apex Body of Leh (ABL). The shutdown affected the normal life in Kargil and Leh districts. Most shops remained shut in Kargil and very thin traffic was observed on the roads.
Members of the KDA and the ABL have also expressed disappointment over “the cold response from the Centre and ignoring the voice of the people of Ladakh.”
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The Centre had earlier assured that both the bodies would be called to New Delhi to discuss the issues concerning Ladakh’s future.