Ladakh cannot afford violence
The situation in the hilly region of Ladakh is under control right now and the region is witnessing an uneasy calm during the past few days. Encouragingly, business establishments have started operations and the schools too are being opened up so that students too end up losing the crucial schooling.
Ladakh shot into headlines after two influential groups LAB and KDA, started agitating in support of their demands, including statehood and safeguards for Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Though many sit in’s and protests were organised over the past few years regarding the demands, the situation turned volatile after four persons were killed during violence that erupted following a protest march by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
The killings and protests that were witnessed on September 24 led to a situation where curfew was imposed and things came to a grinding halt across the region. Though the situation has seen a huge improvement with schools opening from today and business activities too gaining momentum, the regions worries are far from over.
Ladakh is a region where very few economic activities are possible. Primarily, due to the regions harsh climatic conditions the economy of the region is mostly dependent on tourist arrivals and the trade that takes place due to tourist footfall.
Since the situation did not remain conducive for the tourist arrivals, the region’s economic activities took a harsh hit and the hoteliers and local tradesmen calling for an end to such type of a situation.
Certainly, violence holds no place in a civilised society and anyone fermenting trouble should be taken to task and action ensured against such individuals.
However, the agitating groups also need to be taken on board and their genuine demands and grievances need to be heard and action taken on those fronts.
Ladakh is a very sensitive territory as the region is surrounded by Pakistan and China and as such the region cannot afford any sort of instability. Ladakh has remained peaceful even in those days when Jammu and Kashmir was witnessing terrorist activities almost on daily basis.
Innocent lives were being lost and the entire erstwhile state had slipped into chaos. However, the people across Ladakh region maintained their composure and acted wisely by not displaying any inkling towards adopting any violent means or supporting violence in any form.
