Dr. Farooq urges Centre to address Ladakh’s grievances before situation escalates
Interacts with the press at party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha Srinagar
Srinagar, 25 Sept: In a significant statement aimed at addressing the growing discontent in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) President, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, called upon the Central Government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the leadership of Ladakh.
Speaking during a press interaction at the Nawa-e-Subha headquarters, Dr. Farooq Abdullah emphasized the urgency of addressing the legitimate grievances of the people of Ladakh before the situation escalates further.
Dr. Abdullah strongly refuted claims of foreign interference in the region, attributing the mounting frustration to the government’s failure to fulfill promises made to Ladakh. Specifically, he pointed to the unkept promise of statehood for Ladakh, which has contributed significantly to the growing sense of alienation and unrest among the local population.
“The frustration of the people of Ladakh is not driven by foreign interference but by the unfulfilled commitments and promises made by the Union Government. The demand for statehood is legitimate, and the Centre must take it seriously. If not addressed, this discontent will continue to simmer and could eventually lead to a much more serious situation,” he said.
The NC President further underscored the importance of restoring the faith of the youth in Ladakh, emphasizing that the key to lasting peace in the region lies in dialogue, not suppression. Dr. Abdullah urged the Centre to initiate talks with the concerned stakeholders in Ladakh to understand their grievances and take corrective measures.
“The youth of Ladakh are increasingly losing trust in the system. The Centre must restore their faith by fulfilling its promises. Only a constructive dialogue can pave the way for peace and stability in the region,” he added.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah was joined at the press conference by several prominent NC leaders, including Ali Muhammad Sagar, Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Hassnain Masoodi, Shameema Firdous, Showkat Ahmad Mir, Salman Sagar, Ahsan Pardesi, Imran Nabi Dar, JS Azad, and Mir Mushtaq.
The National Conference leaders unanimously called for an urgent intervention by the Centre to prevent the situation from spiraling further, emphasizing that Ladakh’s grievances should be addressed in a timely and constructive manner.
