Kargil observed a complete shutdown for a 6th straight day as thousands made a human chain in the town, demanding headquarters of the newly created administrative division of Ladakh be made rotational between Leh and Kargil towns.
Government offices, including LAHDC Secretariat, DC Office and the district court were closed as business establishments all over the mountainous district remained shut in response a call given by ‘Joint Resistance Committee’ Kargil spearheading the agitation against government order SRO 110.
The order creating the new administrative, police and revenue division of Ladakh made Leh its headquarters.
Demanding the order be amended to make the headquarters rotational between Leh and Kargil towns more than 2000 people participated in a human chain protest.
People from far off places in the district including Sankoo, Tai Suru block, Barsoo, TSG block, Minjee, Drass, Batalik, Shakar Chiktan, Wakha and Shargole protested while demanding equal representation and share in Ladakh Division.
“More and more people are joining the protest from far flung areas for the cause and it shows that all the sections of the society in frontier and strategically important district of Kargil are on roads and are demanding equal rights,” Sajad Kargili, a social activist told Greater Kashmir.
“People of Kargil district have refused to be part of the newly created division unless there is six-monthly rotation of offices between Leh and Kargil.”
Members of the Joint Resistance Committee addressed reporters at Islamia School Chowk and announced the future course of action.
The JRC warned that the people of Kargil were running out of patience and the government will be responsible for any consequences.
The Governor’s administration recently sanctioned the creation of a separate administrative and revenue division comprising Leh and Kargil districts with its headquarters at Leh.
On Monday, following the agitation in Kargil, Governor Satya Pal Malik said a committee was formed to look into the demands of people of Kargil.
“We have formed a committee of secretaries which will look into the issue so that Kargil gets justice,” Malik had said.
Sources said the LAHDC Kargil has passed a resolution against the SRO 110 and there will not be any communication in the name of Ladakh Division until the order was amended.
The JRC has called for protests after Friday congregational prayers.