‘UT status only demand of Ladakhis’
The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Monday said the Indian army was giving a “befitting reply to the terrorists as well as to continuous ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC).”
Rajnath, who reached here today on his two-day visit to Ladakh region, also stated that the Union Territory (UT) status was the only demand of all political parties, religious, cultural and social organization representatives in Leh.
“Our soldiers and army are giving a befitting reply,” Singh said in reaction to Sunday night’s attack on an army camp in Baramulla town, as well as continuous ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and International Border (IB).
One BSF trooper was martyred and another injured in exchange of fire during Baramulla attack.
Rajnath made the remarks after reaching Leh on his two-day visit to Ladakh as part of the central government’s efforts to bring normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.
The visit comes as tension escalated along the Line of Control and the Indian army conducted surgical strikes at seven terror launch pads on September 29 in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir (PAK). Singh also said that he would meet the delegation from Leh and Ladakh people and listen to their problems. “I will try to resolve their problems,” Singh added. Earlier, 19 soldiers were martyred in the September 18 terror attack at an army camp in Uri town of north Kashmir.
In a press briefing at ITBP, Choglamsar today during his two days visit to Ladakh region, Rajnath said, “There have been no other talks except for single and unanimous demand of UT for Ladakh by all political parties, religious, cultural and social organization representatives in Leh.” He said that he had assured Ladakhis of his visit to Ladakh last month when he visited Jammu and Kashmir with all party delegation.
“Ladakhis have always complained of keeping any party delegation or visit of some big leaders confined only to Jammu and Kashmir but as I committed today I convened a meeting with all political parties, religious, cultural and social organization representatives from Leh district to attend to their demands and aspirations and they only have to say one thing, UT status for Ladakh,” said the Home Minister. He added that tomorrow he would be visiting Kargil district to assess the situation there and if there was any serious issue that needed to be addressed state and centre government would sort viable solution, he assured.
The all party, religious and social delegation submitted a memorandum to Home Minister today appealing him for grant of UT status with legislature to Leh-Ladakh.
“Given the prevailing situation in J&K, all of us are committed to realization of this long standing demand and appeal to the GOI in one voice to consider our long standing demand for grant of the UT status with legislature for Leh-Ladakh,” reads the memorandum.