Srinagar, May 26 (IANS) Ladakh Lieutenant Governor (L-G) V.K. Saxena said on Tuesday that he met Sonam Wangchuk, climate activist and one of the representatives of the Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) and during the meeting the L-G cautioned Wangchuk not to vitiate the dialogue process between the Centre and the Union Territory.

L-G Saxena said, “Had a candid exchange with Sonam Wangchuk and Gitanjali Angmo in the backdrop of the constructive dialogue in the Union Home Ministry. We agreed that an air of positivity, both in terms of development initiatives and political dialogue, needs to be maintained.”

“I cautioned Wangchuk to abjure from weaving a misleading and provocative narrative, which vitiates public discourse.”

“Democratic expression must not be taken as license for fabricating falsehoods and rabble rousing. He accepted that comparing the situation of Ladakh with Manipur was an error of judgement,” the L-G added.

“He (Sonam Wangchuk) also said that he was unsure of the origins of the Cockroach Party and would study the motivations of its founders and revisit his stand, if necessary.”

“I also highlighted, that repeated rallies and protests, despite positive developments initiated by the Centre, will have a negative impact on economic activities in the tourism space, which is the backbone of Ladakh,” L-G Saxena said.

“Wangchuk appreciated the positive development initiatives like Him Sarovar project, restoration of Igoo Phey Canal, construction of Mahe-Topko Canal and massive plantation drives, undertaken in the recent days.”

Last week, the representatives of the LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) met the MHA officials and after the meeting the leaders of the two representative bodies told reporters that the Centre had agreed in principle to give Ladakh a Legislative Assembly with legislative and executive powers.

The Ladakh leaders said there would be a Chief Minister under the UT status and the Chief Minister would have administrative powers over the Chief Secretary and all senior bureaucrats unlike Jammu and Kashmir where IAS/IPS services come under charge of the Lieutenant Governor.

The leaders also said that the Centre had agreed to grant statehood to Ladakh as soon as it met the revenue criteria to become a State.

It was also added by these leaders that protections under Article 371 had also been promised for the region.

Although the talks are still believed to be far from reaching the final agreement, there is optimism in Ladakh that the demands of the region are being favourably considered by the Centre.

What would be the final draft of the agreement and how far would the Centre go to concede the demands of Ladakh representatives would be keenly watched.

–IANS

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