Ladakh: Government calls Ladakhis peace-loving patriots, says dialogue process will start soon

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SRINAGAR: The Ladakh government said on Saturday that the Centre “stands committed to holding a dialogue and addressing the aspirations of the people of Ladakh, especially of the younger generation, and would be keen to start the dialogue process soon”.Talks between a high-powered Union home ministry committee and Ladakhi groups, including Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), were scheduled for October 6. But after the Sept 24 incident in which security forces allegedly fired at protesters seeking Sixth Schedule status and statehood for Ladakh, killing four and injuring dozens, both groups called off the talks and demanded an inquiry by a retired Supreme Court judge.“The people of Ladakh are known in the country for their peace-loving nature, their fierce patriotism, and for their overall contribution to nation-building and in securing its frontiers,” Pawan Kotwal, chief secretary, UT of Ladakh, who is also adviser to the Ladakh L-G, said at a press conference in Leh. He added that the government has always expressed its desire for an open and constructive dialogue and has never avoided any meetings. Kotwal said that the land, resources, jobs, and livelihood of Ladakhis would remain protected.“Govt would continue to work with the people of Ladakh to protect the ecosystem as well as its cultural identity. As regards to the increase in Lok Sabha seats, the same was discussed during the high-powered committee (HPC) and it was observed that it would be taken up at the time of delimitation,” Kotwal added.“Our policies are not just guided by population. Even with a small population, Ladakh would remain govt’s priority,” he said.“Regarding the issue of solar park industrialisation, and environment degradation, it is reiterated that we are moving on a firm path of developing a carbon-neutral Ladakh,” Kotwal added.“Nothing will happen without consultation and the consent of the local community. There has been no mining activity in Ladakh at all. There is no commercial exploitation of resources at all. Politically motivated organisations should not mislead the people,” Kotwal said.“There is no absolutely no sign of demographic change or cultural homogenisation. By using the words ‘demographic flooding’ and ‘cultural genocides’, the organisations are misleading the people and creating a smoke screen,” he added.He said that regarding land all powers continue to rest with the respective Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDCs), and the government has already commenced making land laws more people-friendly. “No power of LAHDCs has been taken away.”