Asem Mohiuddin
When the life in Kashmir valley had come to standstill on Friday due to heavy snowfall and the local administration were battling to restore the essential services, a much awaited decision from Governor’s office appeared of creating a separate division of Ladakh. The plan of trifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir was already on cards in New Delhi since it was a long pending demand of the region that remains cut off from the rest of country for over six months in winters.
Ladakh has just two districts, Kargil and Leh and comprises nearly 3 lakh population. However, it comprises almost 70 per cent of area of the entire Jammu and Kashmir state and shares its borders with both Pakistan and China. While Leh is Buddhist dominated district Kargil has a Shia majority and literally both are hostile to each other after later accusing successive regimes in New Delhi and state for ignoring their genuine demands and focusing more on Leh district. The region had got the autonomous hill development council status in 2001 by the then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in an order to accelerate the pace of development.
Meanwhile, the decision of governor has come at a time when the state and Lok Sabha elections are round the corner. BJP had secured first time the Lok Sabha seat of Ladakh in 2014 elections though the Member of Parliament later tendered his resignation. The decision of governor this time is considered politically motivated.
Ladakh visit initially was not in the itinerary of Prime Minister, Narender Modi earlier this month. His visit to Leh was included after Leh Buddhist Association (LBA); an influential religious organization insisted him to visit the place during his visit to state. The members of the LBA also met governor Satya Pal Malik in this regard which eventually bore fruits. Ladakh got the University campus by Modi on his arrival to the cold desert; this was successfully followed by the governor’s decision of separating it as division from Kashmir.
Thus, the Jammu and Kashmir has now three divisions, Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh. However, the decision is potentially creating huge outcry in state with inhabitants of Pirpanjal Range and Chenab valley demanding same. In fact, the worrying side is that within the twin districts of Ladakh division now Kargil is also accusing government of treating them step motherly.
“Majority of the people in Kargil are against the division of the state on the basis of region, religion or language and hence raised the demand for divisional status with economic, financial and legislature powers. We will like to continue to be part of Kashmir division as the distance between Kargil and Kashmir is just 200 kms, while between Kargil and Leh 230 kms,” former MLA Haji Asgar Ali Karbalia told in a press conference.
Karbalaia claim that separate division demand was first raised by the people of Kargil after three member group of Interlocutors was appointed. But it was ignored and we want equal distribution of administrative powers. Or the division headquarter can be set up on rotational basis between Leh and Kargil like Darbar move between Jammu and Kashmir.
Interestingly, the people of Kargil across the political, religious and social beliefs have come on the same page. In fact the leaders from the BJP of Kargil unit have also joined them what they call it as a “genuine” demand.
A Congress leader has also threatened of a general strike at Kargil, Jammu and Delhi against the decision.
“We will also go for general strike and hit the streets in the entire district besides Jammu and Delhi till our genuine demand is met,” a senior Congress leader said.
The controversy for New Delhi does not stop here. However, it has more to see in the two regions of Jammu. Pir Panjal and Chenab valley also are landlocked and have been demanding to set up as separate administrative territories.
All the political parties have welcomed the decision of governor for addressing the demand of Ladakh, however, they accused governor of ignoring the aspiration of these two regions.
In fact both the PDP and National Conference have already been assuring the same status to twin regions if they assume the majority in the upcoming Assembly elections.
The PDP MLC, Firdous Tak has threatened to lock down all the power houses in the region in case the demand is not met.
Similarly, Shfiq Mir, the president of Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference who also hails from Rajouri said that the state needs five such units that include Kashmir, Jammu, Ladakh, Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley for fair and equal treatment in socio economic development.
While BJP has secured its position in Leh region after this decision in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, however, it may face severe opposition in both Chenab and Pir Panjal regions. The NC and PDP may regain its lost ground in the Assembly elections if they assure them the separate division status.
But will New Delhi allow any more divisions in the state. There is a strict “No”.
Ladakh was carved out of Kashmir division which has always remained tense and prior never stood by Kashmir and was sharing a huge animosity. The Buddhist Leh was always seeking a separate territory and has preferred to restore the socio economic ties with India via Manali.
In fact a huge number of tourists prefer the Manali route to travel to the cold region in summers and the surface link is also being built up as all weather connectivity. However, for New Delhi the surface connection between Ladakh and Kashmir is for strategic reasons. The Zojilla tunnel built with billions of rupees is also aimed to strengthen the defence capabilities.
In 1999 when Pakistan occupied parts of Kargil, India encountered huge difficulties in mobilizing troops and support in the region due to poor road connectivity. However, it is also facing threats from China in the region. The two hostile neighbours are compelling India to accelerate its developmental projects in the region especially the all weather road link.
Why Delhi would not accept demand of Chenab and Pirpanjal divisions?
It is unlikely that Delhi may ever consider the growing demand for Pir Panjal and Chenab valley to declare them separate divisions, notwithstanding its tough terrain and poor governance system in place. The two Muslim majority regions are in Jammu division and the latter is already accusing that it has been discriminated in previous delimitation.
Craving out these two separate divisions would simply reduce Jammu to few districts which may have serious political and socioeconomic consequences on Jammu. In the upcoming delimitation, Jammu is planning to have more or similar share in the Assembly segments. The twin regions in case granted a separate division may also restore its ties with Muslim majority Kashmir and may cause further trouble for New Delhi.
