'Elections forced...': Wangchuk warns of protests after Ladakh poll announcement
What's the story
Ladakh's Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and the Apex Body of Leh (ABL) have expressed their displeasure over the administration's decision to hold elections in December. The groups argue that many residents leave the Union Territory during winter, making it difficult for them to vote. Activist Sonam Wangchuk, a member of ABL, has warned of intensifying protests in the coming days if their concerns aren't addressed.
Political backing
MP backs demand to postpone elections
"However, before things take that turn, we wanted to appeal to the people (of the country) to stand with us and help us find a way to address this situation," Wangchuk said.
On Tuesday, Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra announced fresh elections to all eight Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs), which will take place on December 4.
Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa Jan has also backed the demand to postpone the elections.
Official response
Chief Secretary defends December election schedule
"Holding this election in December will deprive a lot of people of voting," Jan said.
"I had advised [them] that elections should be held in March or April since a large part of our population migrates away from Ladakh in the winter and so that every citizen can exercise their right to vote," he added.
Chief Secretary Kundra defended the December election schedule, arguing that it would give newly elected councils three months to prepare budgets for the next year.
Unresolved issues
Delay in judicial inquiry report a concern
The delay in releasing the report of a judicial inquiry into last year's violence in Leh has also been a point of contention.
Wangchuk criticized the administration for prioritizing elections over resolving this issue, saying it seems they are more interested in public relations exercises than addressing public concerns.
"While the Judicial Inquiry Commission report...moves at snail's pace...the UT administration is moving at rocket speed to conduct some kind of 'Council Elections' here," Wanghuk said.
National appeal
Leadership appeals to PM, Amit Shah, and Rahul Gandhi
KDA co-chairman Sajad Kargili echoed these sentiments, accusing the administration of "stealing votes" and representation from Ladakh's people.
In their video message, the leadership of Leh and Kargil appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi to intervene.
They warned that if their concerns aren't addressed soon, they will be forced to start "peaceful but intense agitations to demonstrate our pain."