SRINAGAR, Sept 25: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday described the prevailing situation in Ladakh as a serious concern, urging the Centre to halt the use of force and adopt a dialogue based approach to address local grievances.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Abdullah highlighted that Ladakhi residents, led by activist Sonam Wangchuk, have been peacefully protesting for the past 15 days, demanding statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule. He recalled Wangchuk’s march from Leh to Delhi to spotlight these demands, which he said were not adequately addressed by authorities.
“Initially, the protests were non-violent. The younger generation of Ladakh believed in the promises made to them. When those promises proved hollow, frustration grew, and they took to the streets. Unfortunately, peaceful methods were abandoned,” Abdullah said, referring to incidents including the burning of BJP offices, police vehicles, and attempts to set public offices on fire.
Abdullah cautioned that unrest in Ladakh, a sensitive border region with Chinese-occupied territory, could have broader implications for national security. He emphasized that the authorities must resolve the issues through dialogue to prevent escalation.
Addressing concerns about potential external influence in the protests, Abdullah dismissed the notion, stating, “This is the genuine voice of the local people. They will not wait indefinitely. The government must honor promises regarding elections, delimitation, and statehood.”
He also criticized the delay in fulfilling promises regarding Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood over the past 11 months, urging the government to learn from the Ladakh situation and act promptly.