Bond with Ladakh will always be strong: Omar

Stressing the historical ties between Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday reaffirmed that administrative reorganisation would not alter the deep-rooted relationship between the two regions.

"Maps may change, but changing maps will not affect our relationship with you. Our bond with Ladakh is centuries old, and it will remain strong," the chief minister said.

Abdullah chaired a high-level meeting here with a delegation from the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Kargil and senior officers of Jammu and Kashmir to discuss and resolve various concerns of students, patients and residents of Ladakh.

During the meeting, Omar Abdullah assured that space would be provided at SKIMS and other super-specialty hospitals in Kashmir for the establishment of a help desk, which will be managed by the Ladakh administration staff to facilitate immediate assistance for patients from Kargil and Leh.

He further urged the delegation to create awareness among Ladakh students about the quota available in J&K, noting that many seats remain unutilised.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Minister for Jal Shakti Javed Ahmed Rana, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, Education, Shatmanu, Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, and administrative secretaries from the departments of Social Welfare, Health & Medical Education, and ARI & Trainings, an official statement said.

Representing LAHDC Kargil, the delegation was led by Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, alongside Feroz Ahmad Khan and other councillors. The delegation also included Ladakh MP Haji Mohd Haneefa Jan and senior National Conference leader and former Minister Qamar Ali Akhoon.

Addressing the delegation, Omar urged them to take up the matter with the Ladakh administration to ensure the posting of senior officers in Jammu and Srinagar, enabling them to address the challenges faced by Ladakh residents in J&K more effectively.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and Minister for Jal Shakti Javed Ahmed Rana assured the delegation that all their concerns related to roads, drinking water and other essential services would be addressed on priority.

Earlier, the Kargil delegation highlighted several pressing issues, including the appointment of nodal officers for patients referred to SKIMS, Soura, and other super-specialty hospitals in Srinagar. Additionally, they sought tourism promotion for Kargil and other areas of Ladakh through events organised in Srinagar.