Senior Congress leader Dr Karan Singh said on Monday that by linking Ladakh’s demand for a divisional status with granting hill council status for Chenab and PirPanjal regions, the Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti was trying to “divide Jammu along communal lines”.
“I have seen the unanimous resolution passed by autonomous Hill Development Council, both Leh and Kargil, demanding a separate division for Ladakh region,” Singh said.
“I can vouch for the fact that historically, geographically, culturally and administratively, Ladakh has always been a special area which needs full attention. I strongly support demand of the hill council,” said Singh.
Seeking “complete autonomy” from Kashmir’s administrative set up, the two Autonomous Hill Councils of Leh and Kargil have separately passed resolutions demanding separate a division for Ladakh region.
Currently, Ladakh is a part of the Kashmir division.
“Mehboobaji’s attempt to link this matter with some pahari areas in Jammu is an unfortunate attempt to divide Jammu along communal lines which is not only wrong in itself but has no connection with Ladakh demand. I hope the Governor will take cognisance of this,” he said.
Mehbooba has expressed her opposition to recent legislative changes made by governor Satya Pal Malik.
She demanded autonomous hill development councils for the PirPanjal and the Chenab Valley in the Jammu division.
“We are not against granting the status of a division to Ladakh. But if Ladakh gets divisional status and the Chenab Valley and the PirPanjal are neglected, my party will launch a peaceful stir against the governor’s administration for such a discriminatory decision,” said Mehbooba, a former chief minister.
“The governor is having vast experience as a politician and should deal cautiously with sensitive issues. No fiddling with the constitutional status is acceptable till a popular government is in power,” she said.