Ready to defend country at any cost: L-G Mathur

Arun Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 18

Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) of Union Territory of Ladakh RK Mathur said on Thursday that the administration and people here were ready to face any kind of eventuality to defend the country “no matter what it takes”.

In an exclusive interview with The Tribune, Mathur said, “We are geared up to face any kind of eventuality and provide the necessary support to defend the borders.”

He declared in no uncertain terms that the UT administration and the people of Ladakh stood as one in these times to “defend the borders”.

The L-G made these observations, signalling a strong determination of the government and the masses in reply to a question about the preparedness of the UT administration and the people of the region, at large, to deal with the situation arising out of the clashes in Galwan Valley on Monday in which 20 Indian soldiers died, while the }other side is mysteriously quiet about the number of its casualties.

The Monday’s clashes have exacerbated the situation and posed new challenges in the region that is strategically crucial to the country. This has increased the role of Mathur in this unprecedented situation on the borders in the region.

He said the people of Ladakh had always exhibited true patriotism in the matters of national security and integrity. Mathur also said that the Ladakh administration had written to the Union Home Ministry to prepare a domicile policy for Ladakh. “We have submitted a proposal to the Home Ministry and requested it to fast-track the domicile rules for Ladakh.”

Regarding spike in Covid cases in the region and the current situation on this front, he said, “We have lifted the lockdown restrictions as per the guidelines of the Government of India. Commercial and developmental activities have resumed. The aim is to benefit the people through the effective implementation of the ‘Atma Nirbhar’ economic stimulus.”

He added that the tourism sector that contributes Rs 600 crore to the region’s economy had also been opened up.

Regarding his meeting with Home Minister in New Delhi, Mathur said he “took up various developmental and administrative issues” and noted with satisfaction that “in a quick response to our request, two additional senior IAS and IPS officers have been posted to Ladakh”.