LBA celebrates UT status for Ladakh

Our Correspondent
Leh, August 8

The Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), who led the movement in support of the Union Territory (UT) status ever since independence, celebrated the fulfillment of the long- pending demand at Chowkhang Vihara in Leh town on Thursday. 

Many cultural functions were organised on the occasion. A cake-cutting ceremony was also held to celebrate the birth of UT (Ladakh).

The demand for the UT was headed by the LBA after 1947 but the demand was taken seriously during 1989 agitation led by the former Thupstan Chhewang under the banner of the LBA. Ladakh was accorded the UT without a legislature on Monday by the Central Government. 

LBA vice-president Rinchan Namgyal while welcoming the people who come from across Ladakh to attend the celebration said the aim of the function was to thank all the people who supported the struggle of the LBA and the Union Government for  remembering all five martyrs who were killed in 1989 agitation during a police firing. 

He also said the LBA was also planning to organise an event to celebrate the occasion in a big way during which the people from all over Ladakh would be invited. The celebration was attended by all community leaders, including the president of Anjuman Imamia Ashraf Ali Barcha, president of Anjuman Moin-ul Islam Dr Abdul Qayum and Christian Association president Deachan Chamga.