Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Aug 24: Amidst ongoing rumours creating unease within Ladakhi society, the Chief Secretary of Ladakh, Dr Pawan Kotwal, convened a press conference here today via video conference to reassure the public and clarify the Administration’s position on several issues.
The briefing was attended by senior officials including DGP Dr S D Singh Jamwal, DC Leh, Romil Singh Donk, SSP Leh, Shruti Arora, ADC Leh, Additional SP Leh, ACR Leh and Tehsildar Leh.
Dr Kotwal cautioned against rumour mongering and said, “The false narratives have the potential to create unnecessary panic. Deliberate attempts to spread fear will be dealt with strictly under the law.”
Referring to speculation about the dissolution of the Hill Councils, he categorically dismissed the claims as baseless and mischievous.
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“The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) are the pride of Ladakh. The Administration is committed to strengthening them as the cornerstone of development in the region,” he asserted.
The CS highlighted the ongoing recruitment drive as a top priority, noting that over 1,06,081 applications have been received for around 1,385 non-gazetted posts advertised in July 2025.
He underlined the Administration’s commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent process for Ladakhi youth.
Touching on Ladakh’s economy, Dr Kotwal said that tourism, which had suffered setbacks following the Indo-Pak conflict in May 2025, is now reviving. As the largest employer outside Government, tourism would continue to receive the Administration’s full support and attention.
He also appreciated the role of Lambardars (Goubas) as quasi-Government functionaries, urging them to guide the public responsibly and counter rumours with facts.
On the recent cancellation of land allotment to HIAL, the Chief Secretary clarified that the decision stemmed from the “deemed to lapse” clause in the original allotment order, triggered by multiple complaints of violations.
DC Leh explained that the action was case-specific and emphasized that no other land-related issues exist in Ladakh.
He reassured residents that lands allotted by LAHDCs remain legally recognized and protected.
Addressing concerns over the deployment of CRPF in Ladakh, Dr Kotwal said the move was necessitated by the vast geography of the region, the rise in tourism following the abolition of the Inner Line Permit regime and the opening of new trekking routes and destinations to foreigners. With limited manpower in Ladakh Police, CRPF augmentation would strengthen policing, law and order, crime prevention and security.
DGP Dr Jamwal echoed these views, highlighting the increasing workload on Ladakh Police despite manpower constraints.
He urged parents and communities to remain vigilant against drug abuse, emphasizing the need for strong community-police cooperation.
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