Kashmir interlocutors pleased with developments in Ladakh

LADAKH - The interlocutors appointed by the Central Government to seek out various shades of opinion in Jammu and Kashmir during their visit here on Wednesday expressed joy at the notable development work carried out by the authorities, which otherwise would have remained neglected.

The interlocutors discussed various issues with members of various political parties such as the Congress and Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during their visit.

The interlocutors visited the region in order to assess sustainable dialogue prospects and interacted with a diverse spectrum of people to improve the overall scenario in Ladakh.

Later, Radha Kumar, one of the interlocutors, while addressing the media persons here revealed that contrary to common perception, the region was on the ‘economic rise’ due to the speedy development work carried out by the Government.

“We have also noticed the speed with which development is taking place in Ladakh. We have seen new roads, we have seen new constructions, we have seen new markets and so it is very clear that this a region that is on the economic rise,” said Radha Kumar.

Meanwhile, another interlocutor Information Commissioner M M Ansari in his views said the people have shown positive response and asserted the development council had done ‘a great job’ despite certain bottlenecks in infrastructure.

“The main difference that we noticed here was that the people told us about the huge infrastructure deficit. They claimed that there are fewer colleges and universities here. The claimed that their language and culture is being neglected we are concerned about it,” said Ansari.

“But the development council here has done a wonderful job and the people believe that if they are given autonomy through union territory status then they will be able to bring more changes,” he added.

Ansari further noted that if given autonomy, the Ladakh Council would be able to bring more changes in the region.

Veteran journalist Dileep Padgaonkar, academician Radha Kumar and Central Information Commissioner M M Ansari constitute the three-member panel that has been assigned to hold the largest possible consultation with all sections of the society with varied opinions about Jammu and Kashmir.

Kashmir has witnessed massive demonstrations against Indian rule in the last three months and at least 100 stone-pelting protestors have been killed in firing by the security forces.

A nearly four month-long spate of strikes and frequent imposition of curfews have kept the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley on the boil, shutting down much of the region, where tens of thousands have been killed, since an insurgency raised its ugly hood in 1989. (ANI)