The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir is now a Union Territory without Ladakh, In fact there are today two Union Territories and from Thursday Oct 31 which is also Unity Day observed in honour Sardar Vallabhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister, the state of Jammu and Kashmir ceases to exist. The abrogation of Article 370 and 35(A) on August 5 last leading to the shutdown of the Valley and the arrest of leading political figures had stunned the country and even caused ripples abroad. Pakistan made much hue and cry but to no avail. Most countries including the USA said this was an internal matter of India. On October 31, Radha Krishna Mathur and G.C. Murmu were sworn in as the first lieutenant-governors (L-Gs) of Ladakh and J&K respectively.
It is difficult to gauge the mood of the people with the communication shut-down and curfew lasting 72 days. What is troubling is the shift in the strategy adopted by militants, who are now targeting civilians, non-local labourers and apple growers. A process of dialogue is what is needed but who will start this process when people are sullen and unwilling to engage with what they see is an unrelenting Centre. Besides, the three former chief ministers are also still under arrest. They are best placed to start the dialogue. The Modi Government believes that pushing in a more inclusive and transparent governance will calm down tempers as people move about their businesses. But that’s easier said than done. Without an elected government in place people feel they are unrepresented.
If the sole representative of Ladakh in Parliament, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal is to be believed then the Ladakhis are happy with the present settlement. But that’s his personal view. The people of Ladakh don’t seem to share his exuberance. Groups of them have been travelling in different directions across the country to seek views on how to strengthen their hill council so that their land and resources are protected. More so since many companies such as Reliance have expressed keenness to invest in Ladakh. The presence of strategic minerals like uranium makes it even more important that the Ladakhis have control over their resources.
According to BJP leaders in the central government the process of dialogue has started with various political parties such as the National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party, but that is not enough. The NDA Government should engage with the people of both UTs and take them into confidence while planning out development packages for them. The promise of development must be visible and tangible else the NDA Government will lose all credibility.