Tributes paid to Ladakh martyrs

Excelsior Correspondent

LEH, Aug 27: Rich tributes were today paid to the martyrs who laid down their lives while agitating for the Union Territory status to Ladakh in 1989.
Ladakh Buddhist Association organized a wreath laying ceremony at the martyrs memorial park at Skyatsaks in the memory of Nawang Rinchen of Samkar, Tsering Stobdan of Durbuk and Tsewang Dorjey of Saboo.
On the occasion, monks from Lingshed Monastery chanted special prayer for the departed souls and people observed two minutes silence to pay homage to the martyrs.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Ladakh Affairs and Cooperatives, Chering Dorjay said, “the time has come for us to take forward the demand of UT status by sidelining our political difference”, adding “if the Government of India finds a solution to Kashmir problem the same cannot be enforced on Ladakh region having different aspiration and we should make collective efforts to place our demands vigorously”.
He further said, “if we stay united then with the support of religious and political leaders we can take forward the issue with Central Government”, adding “the real tribute to the martyrs would be to take the demand of UT status to logical conclusion”.
Congress Legislature Party leader MLA Nawang Rigzin Jora said, “it is due to the supreme sacrifices of the martyrs that we are enjoying Hill Council status and Schedule Tribe (ST) quota”.
Chief Executive Councilor Dr Sonam Dawa Lonpo said that a process has already been initiated for allotment of land in favour of families of the martyrs.
LBA President Tsewang Thinles said, “we can’t forget the sacrifices made by the martyrs due to which we enjoy Hill Council and ST status but unfortunately those availing the benefit fail to participate in such celebration which is injustice to their sacrifices”.
“We are in the process of making a documentary and photo exhibition on the brave martyrs to highlight their contributions towards the Ladakh cause so that younger generation must know them”, Thinles said.
Anjuman Moin-ul Islam President, Sheikh Saif Ud-Din said, “we are important stakeholder and if Government decides something on Kashmir then what will be the fate of Ladakhi and all religious/political leader must come forwards to place our demands”.
Meanwhile, the UT martyrs family members expressed their strong resentment over Government and religious leaders’ apathy towards them.
Interacting with media, martyr Nawang Rinchen’s family member Sonam Gonbo said, “every one claims to remember us but practically nothing has been given till date inspite of our repeated plea”.
Tsering Dorjay of Saboo village also blamed the administration for not giving them any benefit except invitation on the martyrs day celebration.

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