J&K State exposed to threat of division on communal lines: Harsh

Jammu: Questioning the urgency in creation of third division for Ladakh in the state of J&K during President’s Rule, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh JKNPP Chairman and Former Minister said that the helmsmen were answerable to the people of the state over the timing and intent behind such a major decision taken in extreme haste. Where did the demand for Divisional status to Ladakh come from and who were the beneficiaries? questioned Singh. “The people of Leh had been demanding union territory status with central BJP leadership assuring during 2014 elections to fulfil the same. Having failed to fulfil the genuine aspirations of the people of Ladakh, the central govt had played a dangerous game of dividing the people on religious and ethnic lines for political gains which could prove disastrous for a sensitive state like J&K, said Singh. He was addressing a press conference in Jammu today.
Describing the decision as ill-conceived and ill-advised, Mr. Singh said that the dangerous move could explode in a big way resulting in serious ramifications in all regions of the state. He said that the political move of the present dispensation had not only fomented trouble in Kargil but triggered a series of similar demands from erstwhile Doda and Rajouri-Poonch District. Not only was Kargil boiling but Jammu roads were flooded with people form Kargil including women, children, youth and aged all Joining mammoth protests seeking rotational headquarters for the proposed division. He regretted that rather than satisfying the urges of the people, the decision of carving new division has only exposed the state to the threat of further division on communal lines. Terming the move as a political misadventure, Mr. Singh said that it would surely prove counterproductive for the BJP led govt at the centric and in the state. During the past 70 years only two divisions of “Jammu” and “Kashmir” had been created in the state, said Singh. “And they too could not be equipped with requisite infrastructure needed for full fledged divisions. There were several directorates which were common for both the divisions and which shuttled with the darbar move. Under such circumstances, announcing a separate division for Ladakh without undertaking the mandatory budgetary exercise and without making any provision for finances or even making a mention of huge financial implications and the sources thereof was a fraud with the people of the desert land”, “maintained Singh. He said that mere deputation of an officer in the name of Divisional Commissioner or IGP was not sufficient to elevate the region to divisional level.
Describing the decision as unwarranted and bizarre, Mr. Singh said that the Governor could better have taken steps for strengthening the Autonomous Hill councils of Leh and Kargil with further decentralization of financial and administrative powers as a measure of autonomy for the said councils. He further urged the centre to fulfil the logical demand of Ladakh for a union territory which had been agreed to even by the BJP leaders during 2014 Elections.
Mr. Parshotam Parihar State Secretary Panthers Trade Union was also present in the press conference.