Srinagar 25 September :- National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Thursday blamed recent trouble in Leh on increasing frustration among the locals over unreached assurances on the Sixth Schedule and Ladakh statehood.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Abdullah described the violence as a culmination of extended protests by environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, who had waged a five-year silent struggle, including 14 days of hunger strike and barefoot walk from Leh to Delhi, demanding recognition under the Sixth Schedule and the restoration of statehood for the Union Territory.
Abdullah warned that the youth, frustrated with broken promises, turned to violence, attacking properties such as a BJP office and police vehicles, resulting in confrontations in which four people were reportedly killed and around 60–80 were injured.
He stressed that the situation was a major threat to national security in light of Ladakh’s strategic position on the border with China, which he asserted has repeatedly sought to destabilize India.
Brushing aside reports of outside involvement, Abdullah asserted that the violence was a manifestation of local resentment and asked the government to learn its lesson from the Ladakh scenario. He recalled that the same assurances of statehood were given to Jammu and Kashmir after delimitation and elections, and cautioned against delays in doing so as they would have heavy implications.
Urging the government to take quick action, Abdullah emphasized the resolution of the matter for the restoration of peace and to avoid further escalation.