Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 30: Ahead of Ladakh becoming the Union Territory, Kargil today observed complete shutdown in protest against the Government not conceding their demands including rotational headquarters of the Lieutenant Governor and the Administrative Secretary, Ladakh Affairs Department, in Leh and Kargil.
All shops, business establishments, Government schools and majority of offices remained closed on the call given by the Joint Action Committee in protest against decision of the Governor’s administration for not conceding their demands and keeping headquarters of the Lieutenant Governor and the Administrative Secretary Ladakh Affairs Department permanently in Leh.
Joint Action Committee (JAC) Kargil chairman Nasir Hussain Munshi told media persons that the people of Kargil were compelled to come on streets again by the Government, which betrayed them by not fulfilling their 14 demands which were put before Governor Satya Pal Malik and Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam earlier.
He said the people of Kargil were always against bifurcation of the State but the Union Territory was thrust upon them.
“We demanded our rights including rotational headquarters of the Lieutenant Governor in Leh and Kargil but our demand was not met forcing us to call for shutdown,” he said.
However, the bandh passed off peacefully.
Recalling the visit of the Governor and the Chief Secretary to Kargil and assurance given to them after which the Joint Action Committee had suspended the agitation, it said: “Unfortunately since that meeting, various major decisions have been taken by the State and the Central Governments in favour of Leh district including grant of Medical College, Cricket Academy, 20-bedded ESIC Hospital, proposal for establishing Accountant General’s office in Leh and shifting of Headquarters of Administrative Secretary Ladakh Affairs Department to Leh”.
The headquarters of the Lieutenant Governor has also been kept permanently in Leh, it regretted.
The Committee said these major decisions indicated that the State Government is not serious about the promises made with the people of Kargil during the meeting held on August 30 this year.
“The decisions have raised doubts in the minds of general public of Kargil concerning commitment of the State administration regarding fulfillment of the promises made to them,” it said.
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