MoS Home calls on LG, discusses prevailing situation
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Sept 28: Allaying fears of the people of Ladakh regarding Constitutional safeguards to the region, Union Minister of State for Home, G Kishan Reddy today said that the issues will be resolved through a consensus after the elections to Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh are over.
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The Union Minister who reached Leh today along with other Ladakhi leaders including Thupstan Chhewang, Skyabje Thiksay Khanpo Rinpochey, former MP (RS) and Chhering Dorjay Lakrook, former Minister to inform the people of the region that their issues will addressed by the Union Government, said after the Hill Council elections are over and the veteran leaders of Ladakh and public representatives from the region will be called to New Delhi to sort out the issue through a consensus.
He told reporters at Leh that the Union Government will not take any unilateral decision in this regard, and added the issue will be sorted out as per the aspirations of the people of Ladakh with their consultation and consent only.
The Union Minister during his stay at Leh later called on Lt Governor, Ladakh R K Mathur in the evening and discussed the prevailing situation in the Himalayan region with him. This is the second meeting between them after the LG of Ladakh called on him at North Block in New Delhi on August 31 this year.
Maintaining that Ladakh is a sensitive region he said, hence people have to display unity to send a clear message to the forces inimical to the unity and integrity of the nation. The Union MoS Home said the call of election boycott in a sensitive region like Ladakh is not good. “A message at this juncture when the country is facing some hostile neighbors inimical to our unity and integrity should go loud and clear that entire nation is united at this juncture and we are not separate so far as the national cause is concerned. “This message should go to entire world from the land of Ladakh,” he added.
Maintaining that Modi Government is committed to national cause, he said at no cost this Government will compromise on national interests. “For us self and party have no priority but protecting national cause and interests is our first priority”, he added.
Reddy assured the people of Ladakh that BJP has always respected the feelings and aspirations of people of Ladakh and it will continue to do so in future too. “We gave UT to this region as it was a demand of the people of Ladakh for last 70 years and in future too the party will respect the aspirations and feelings of the people of this region”, he added.
Assuring protection of the rights of the people of Ladakh region under a Constitutional mechanism, he said 6th Schedule is not for entire State or UT but for a small part in that. “But we will definitely find out some mechanism under the Constitution frame work to assuage your concerns”, he added.
Asking people to have faith in Narendra Modi Government, he said this Government is duty bound to settle your all problems and fulfill your aspirations. He sought the support of Ladakh people in the development and progress of the region.
The Union Minister, while asking people that they should not worry but have faith in leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi as this Government is ready to go to any extent for the development of this hilly and backward region.
Reddy said every step will be taken by the Modi Government for the welfare of the people of Ladakh, development and progress of the region. He assured all safeguards will be given to people of the region pertaining to their language, linguistics, literature, land, employment, property and culture.
He complimented the People’s Movement of Ladakh and people of the region for withdrawing the poll boycott call in the larger national interests and said their participation in elections will help in smooth conduct of poll process. He said Gram Panchayat, Municipality, Development Council, Assembly or Parliament all elections have the significance as they are soul of democracy and so they are important for all of us.
He said Modi Government has no two thoughts on the issue of Ladakh and it is solidly with the people of the region. He complimented the people of Ladakh for their role in Kargil war , war with China in 1962 and ongoing border dispute with China. He said the Ladakhis are nationalist to core and their patriotism is unquestionable.
He said that the delegation of veteran leaders from the region which met Union Home Minister, Amit Shah at Delhi on Saturday was assured by him that their issues will be addressed.
He said the UT of Ladakh is a new born baby only one year old and it will take some time in re-establishment of the entire setup. “You should not worry whatever you demand you will get more than that Narendra Modi who gave UT status to Ladakh will go an extra mile to fulfill your aspirations about the development of the region”, he added.
Reddy said after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35 A and converting the J&K into two UTs it took five to six months time to do basic frame work and later the country was under the grip of COVID-19 and for last eight months every thing is at standstill. The economy of the country has been hit worst and the GDP has decreased to lowest ebb. This created lot of problem in giving impetus to development, he added.
The Ladakhi leaders Thupstan Chhewan, Khanpo Rinpoche and Chhering Dorjay were also present during the press conference.
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