It is deeply troubling to see violence and unrest rip through the Ladakh region, which has always been strongly committed to the Indian Union. Indeed, a poll in an international survey had found, over around a quarter-century ago, that Muslim-dominated Kargil was the most pro-India part of the entire erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
That should have been cherished, and used as an example to build bridges of understanding and cooperation across the various parts of the erstwhile state. The Autonomous Hill Development Councils, which had worked very well in both the Leh and Kargil districts, should have been further empowered and assisted.
Establishing a lieutenant-governor’s secretariat in Ladakh instead was bound to weaken the Development Councils, after those democratically elected bodies had taken root and had proved effective in that challenging and sensitive terrain.
Now, the place has become a hotbed of disappointment and unrest. Curfew has been in place in Leh for four days, and one must hope that lasting peace will be restored. It would be best to try and accommodate the aspirations of the people of this sensitive border area in an inclusive spirit.