Pan Ladakh protests held for opening of Kargil-Skardu Road

A massive procession being taken out by the people in Kargil town on Friday. -Excelsior/ Basharat Ladakhi
A massive procession being taken out by the people in Kargil town on Friday. -Excelsior/ Basharat Ladakhi

Excelsior Correspondent

KARGIL, Feb 1: Protests were held today in several parts of Ladakh Region demanding opening of the cross LoC Kargil- Skardu Road to help families divided in 1947 due to partition.
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Anjuman Jamiyat Ullama Isna Ashriya Kargil (AJUIAK), appealed the people to support the Movement for opening Kargil-Skardu Road after the Friday prayers and on the call of the president Sheikh Na’zir Mehdi Mohammadi, people from all walks of life in several parts of the Region protested for opening the road.
The major protest was held in Kargil Town after Friday prayers which was led by Shiekh Na’zir Mehdi Mohammadi and other clergies, besides social and political activists. Thousands of people participated in the protest and took out a procession from Anjuman Jamiyat Ullama office and to Laal Chowk after marching through Khomeini Chowk and many streets.
The protesters were raising slogans against the injustices with the people and demanding opening Kargil-Skardu Road on humanitarian grounds.
Sheikh Na’zir Mehdi Mohammadi, while interacting with the protestors, told that there are some 12,000 to 15,000 divided families in Ladakh and the miseries of these families should be considered. He requested Government of India to open Kargil-Skardu Road and Turtuk-Khapulo Road on humanitarian basis.
Referring to the resolution of the Parliament of India passed in 1994, he told that if India considers Gilgit Baltistan as its integral part then they should also consider the plight of the people of GB and Ladakh.
He told that after the partition of 1947, families divided in a night and in 1971 more villages came under India like Hundermo, Budgam, Tyakshi, Cholunkha etc and more families were divided, which has created a space of desperation among the divided families and some of the members died in the hope of meeting with their nears and dears.
Speaking about the Zojjila Tunnel and Airport issue, the president said that if Government of India cannot spend budget on these projects then the easiest route for all weather connectivity is Kargil-Skardu Road and Government should take up this matter with the Pakistan Government as they have already stated that they are ready to open this route.
Similar protest erupted in the second coldest place of the World, Drass where after Friday prayers Imams of different Sections staged joint protest supporting the movement. The protests were also held in Sankoo, Pashkum, Chiktan, Shakar, Suru and Turtuk areas.
The processionists expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will made the announcement about opening of the road during his visit to the State on February 3.

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