Jammu, July 02, 2021 (PPI-OT):Differences between representatives of Muslim majority Kargil and Buddhist majority Leh in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are widening with every passing day. During their much-awaited meeting with Indian Minister of State for Home G Krishan Reddy in New Delhi, the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) demanded the restoration of Article 370 and Article 35-A. By raising this demand KDA has given a clear indication that they are not going to toe line of the Apex Committee of the Peoples’ Movement of Ladakh (Leh).

After meeting with the Indian Minister, leaders of the KDA delegation made it clear that their agenda was restoration of Article 370 and 35-A and statehood to Ladakh. Eleven-member delegation comprising representatives of all political, religious, social, and student organizations meet the Indian minister to apprise New Delhi about their demands especially restoring Article 370 and 35-A. Indian government on August 05, 2019, had abrogated Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and divided IIOJK into Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Leader of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) Asgar Ali Karbalai told media that they apprised Reddy about the need for restoration of Article 370 and Article 35-A, and full-fledged statehood for Ladakh. He said they had a two-and-a-half-hour-long meeting with the Indian minister and were hopeful that more meetings would take place in the future on their demands. Another leader, Qamar Ali Akhoon, said that they were against creation of the UT of Ladakh and sought statehood for Ladakh.

It merits mentioning here that the Apex Committee of the Peoples’ Movement of Ladakh (Leh) has earlier strongly opposed the demand of KDA to restore Article 370 and 35-A. Leaders of Leh have repeatedly made it clear that they would not support this demand at any cost. Apex Committee has made it clear that coordination with KDA was impossible if they insist on demands like restoring Article 370, 35-A and restoration of pre-August 05, 2019, position. On June 23, Apex Body of Leh had raised the demand of ‘UT with the legislature’ status. The panel had raised this demand within days after administration of Ladakh reserved jobs for local residents only.

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