Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Aug 27: After getting the UT status to Ladakh, the UT martyrs which includes Nawang Rinchen of Sankar village, Tsering Stobdan of Durbuk, and Tsewang Dorjey of Saboo- popularly known as ‘Nawang, Dorjay and Stobdan were remembers of their 30th death anniversary to pay a rich tribute to them.
Nawang, Dorjay and Stobdan laid down their lives on 27th August 1989 while fighting for UT demands agitation launched by the people of Leh district.
Remembering the martyrs’ huge procession was taken out from Chowkhang Vihara to NDS Martyrs Park at Skytsaks.
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Carry the portraits of UT and ST martyrs hundred of school students, political party leaders, religious heads and public in large number participated in the procession. All the business establishments remained shut down till afternoon as a mark of respect to the martyrs.
Martyrs day is observed every year on the 27th of August by the Ladakh Buddhist Association to pay rich tribute to the martyrs. Tributes were also paid to Lobzang Tsondus of Likir and Tashi Angchuk of Saspol who lost their lives on 24th January 1981 during an agitation launched to demand Schedule Tribe (ST) status to Ladakhis.
Religious and political leaders including BJP State General Secretary Ashok Kaul, Councillors, relative and family members of martyrs and public gathered at their memorial Stupa at Skyatsaks to offer Khataks at the portraits of the martyrs.
Monks from Lingshed Monastery recited special prayer.
All the speakers including chief guest former Minister Skyabje Togdan Rinpoche, LAHDC Chairman Gyal P.Wangyal, former MP Thupstan Chhewang, former Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora and Chering Dorjay, Anjuman Moin-Ul-Islam President Dr.Abdul Qayoom, Anjuman Imamiya President Ashraf Ali, Christian Association President Dechen Chamba, All Gonpa Association President venerable Shatup Chamba, LBA Vice Presidents Rinchen Namgyal, LBA Women Wing Vice President Tashi Yangchen, LBA Youth wing President Konchok Ishey Stak, hailed the contribution of UT martyrs.
Former Minister Chering Dorjay and Nawang Rigzin Jora urged the Ladakhi leaders to send a common proposal to appoint former MP Thupstan Chhewang as first lieutenant Governor of UT Ladakh.
The statement was also supported by Skyabje Togdan Rinpoche and LBA President PT Kunzang.
Former MP Thupstan Chhewang recounted how Ladakhi people stood in united for UT demand during 1989 agitation. He also briefed about the need of launching such an agitation at that point of time and also narrated how Ladakhis had to accept LAHDC as an interim arrangement following a tripartite agreement between LBA, State Government and the Government of India.
LBA President PT Kunzang in his speech said that UT has bought new dawn in the region and LBA’s 70 year dreams has been fulfilled by present NDA Government. He urged the leaders to sit and think about Ladakh’s future after UT status and accordingly Ladakhis can safeguard its tradition, culture and land protection.
He also appealed to the Hill Council to reward the UT martyrs families suitably as mark of gesture from the local Government.
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