Kargil shuts down over cluster varsity

Tribune News Service
Jammu, December 18

Normal life came to a grinding halt in Kargil of the Ladakh region on Tuesday after a complete shutdown was observed on the call of two powerful religious organisations — Islamia School Kargil and Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust. The organisations were demanding of setting up of headquarters of the proposed Central University in Kargil.

The call for the shutdown was given after the State Administrative Council (SAC), headed by Governor Satya Pal Malik, decided to establish the new Cluster University for Ladakh with the head office in Leh town.

All the private and government establishments in Kargil remained closed throughout the day while the normal vehicular movement was affected. Thousands of people from different walks of life took out a protest rally which culminated at Kalon Rahim Khan Chowk.

On Monday, a joint meeting of all religious organisations, political and social groups took place under the chairmanship of Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Kargil Council Feroz Khan in the aftermath of the announcement regarding the establishment of Cluster University for Ladakh at Leh.

“There is a strong resentment among people against the Governor’s announcement of opening of headquarters of Cluster University in Leh town. All the stakeholders were not consulted prior to making the announcement and the decision is far away from ground realities,” Khan said.

The CEC said, “We want to know the criteria adopted for making the announcement. The Governor should reconsider his decision and make the provision of rotation of Vice Chancellor’s office for six months each at Leh and Kargil towns,” Khan said, adding, “Our main demand is the full-fledged Central University for Ladakh with the head office in Kargil”. On December 15, the SAC approved the J&K University of Ladakh Bill, 2018. The Bill aims at setting up a cluster university for the Ladakh region with an initial grant of Rs 65 crore.