Rajnath in Ladakh next week to ‘soothe frayed nerves’

Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 28

In the backdrop of a clamour over alleged discrimination against people of the region, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will pay a two-day visit to the Ladakh region from October 3 to interact with all stakeholders and “soothe frayed nerves”.

This will be the fourth visit of the minister to Jammu and Kashmir since the eruption of violent protests in the Kashmir valley following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8. Earlier, Rajnath Singh visited the state on July 23, August 24 and September 4 and 5.

During his third visit to the state, he had led an all-party delegation to initiate “political dialogue” for restoration of peace in the Kashmir valley, that had been rattled by widespread unrest with the death of more than 85 persons, including security personnel.

“The Union Home Minister will reach Leh on October 3 and interact with all stakeholders, different political, religious and social groups and a cross-section of society. He will stay in Leh for the night. On October 4, he will visit Kargil and interact with different shades of opinion there,” official sources told The Tribune.

The sources said the minister was likely to interact with senior officers of the Army, ITBP, police and other security agencies while reviewing the security scenario in the strategic Ladakh region. The cold desert shares its boundary with aggressive China and hostile Pakistan.

“He will return to New Delhi on October 4. It is not clear as to who will accompany him during his visit to Ladakh,” the sources said.

Representatives of Kargil and Leh had expressed resentment against the decision of the all-party delegation not to visit Ladakh during its visit to the state on September 4 and 5. They had alleged that Ladakh had been completely ignored.

MP from Ladakh Thupstan Chhewang submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 30, copies of which had been submitted to Union ministers and all members of the delegation.

He had said they felt stifled because of the “senseless violence” in a part of the state. “Administratively, we are a part of the Kashmir division. Anything happening in any part of it is a matter of deep concern to us,” he said.

“It is shocking that we have not been involved in any debate or discussion held both at the state and Central levels for finding a clue to end the continuing impasse in the Valley,” he rued.

“This is despite having an elected Member of Parliament, about half a dozen legislators and two powerful councils for local governance in the twin districts of Leh and Kargil,” he stated.

The voices seeking separation of Ladakh from the Valley had gained momentum in recent times, particularly since widespread unrest engulfed Kashmir.