Omar Abdullah says Ladakh ‘was not even promised statehood’ as clashes kill 4, ‘imagine how betrayed J&K feels
As Ladakh witnessed a violent day after clashes between security forces and protesters over Ladakh statehood that killed four, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah noted that the Union Territory “wasn’t even promised statehood” and celebrated the status of Union Territory in 2019 after the abrogation of Article 370, yet they feel “betrayed and angry” today.
Omar Abdullah said, “Ladakh wasn’t even promised Statehood, they celebrated UT status in 2019 and they feel betrayed and angry.”
Omar Abdullah emphasised that Jammu and Kashmir has been demanding statehood “democratically, peacefully, and responsibly”, yet the promise remains unfulfilled, leaving its people feeling equally “betrayed and disappointed”.
Highlighting the longstanding grievances of J&K over statehood, Omar Abdullah said, “Now try to imagine how betrayed & disappointed we in J&K feel when the promise of statehood to J&K remains unfulfilled even though we have gone about demanding it democratically, peacefully & responsibly.”
Ladakh clashes over statehood
At least four people died and 30 others were injured in intense clashes between protesters and security personnel during the Leh Apex Body (LAB) sponsored shutdown in Leh town of Ladakh on Wednesday, September 24, officials said.
Police had to resort to firing to bring the situation under control after the protesters, who have launched an agitation for statehood for Ladakh and extension of the Sixth Schedule, indulged in widespread violence, they said.
The Leh office of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was also set on fire, allegedly by the protesters. Videos emerging on social media showed smoke billowing out of the BJP office building in Leh.
The protesters claimed that four people were killed in police firing. Activist Sonam Wangchuk has, meanwhile, called off the strike.
The protest was called by the LAB youth wing after two of the 15 people, who were on a 35-day hunger strike since September 10, were shifted to a hospital after their condition deteriorated.
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