Owais Gul
Srinagar, Sep 25: National Conference (NC) President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Thursday expressed serious concern over the current situation in Ladakh, saying the Centre must stop the use of force and instead pursue a dialogue to resolve pressing issues.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, Dr Farooq said the people of Ladakh, led by activist Sonam Wangchuk, have been peacefully protesting for the past 15 days, demanding statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule. He said Wangchuk had even walked on foot from Leh to Delhi to draw attention to their demands, but the authorities have failed to address their concerns adequately.
“Initially, the protests were non-violent. The youth of Ladakh believed in the promises made to them. However, when these promises proved hollow, frustration grew, and they resorted to street protests,” Dr Farooq said, adding that some incidents during the protests included the burning of BJP offices, police vehicles, and attempts to set public offices on fire.
The NC chief warned of broader implications, given Ladakh’s strategic border location and the Chinese occupation in the region. “Unrest in such sensitive areas is dangerous for our nation. Efforts must be made to resolve these issues through dialogue and prevent further escalation,” he urged.
When asked about allegations that external forces influenced the protests, the former J&K Chief Minister dismissed such claims. “I do not believe any external group is behind this. These are genuine voices of the local people. They will not wait indefinitely. The government must remember the promises made regarding elections, delimitation, and statehood for Ladakh,” he said.
He added that nearly 11 months have passed since promises related to Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood were made, yet no progress has been seen. “The people of Ladakh feel betrayed. They were promised jobs and development, but nothing has materialised. Instead, a colony has been established there, which led the youth to take extreme steps to press for their rights,” he added.
On BJP’s accusations blaming Congress for the violence, the NC leader said, “BJP has always blamed others for its failures. They are responsible for the current situation. They are the ruling party in Ladakh, yet they cannot even gather ten people for a rally. This is the voice of the people. Instead of blaming others, they should focus on resolving issues.”
Regarding the Ministry of Home Affairs’ statement, Dr Abdullah clarified that Sonam Wangchuk has never shunned Gandhian principles. “It is the youth who have chosen this path; Wangchuk has no role in the violence. The CBI inquiry and the use of force will not resolve anything. I urge New Delhi to stop the use of force and adopt a dialogue-based approach,” he appealed.
The NC president further added on the situation in Ladakh: “The leaders in Delhi are responsible for what has happened in Ladakh. They have been talking without concrete action, and the youth have felt let down after waiting for five years. Delhi must act faster to resolve the issue.”
Dr Farooq said Ladakh is a sensitive area. “Everyone knows how much land China occupies there. We cannot even carry out patrolling in our own territories. It’s time to accept reality. If the situation continues, someone else will step in to fill the gap,” he warned.
