The Kashmir Pulse

LEH — If nothing unusual happens, Ladakh Lok Sabha is likely to be won by the Independent candidate from Kargil Hanifa Jan, this is what political observers feel keeping the ground perception in account.

According to political observers and politically conscious citizens, Congress is nowhere in the picture and there is a direct contest between the Kargil-sponsored candidate and the BJP candidate from Leh.

The Ladakh Lok Sabha constituency is going for polls on May 20. The contest is between Congress candidate Tsering Namgyal, leader of the opposition in Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council, the BJP’s Tashi Gyalson and independent candidate Hanifa Jan who was the former president of the National Conference.

Today, a mega rally was addressed by Kargil-based candidate Hanifa Jan in Kargil Bazar in which thousands of people participated. Due to the rally, Kargil town witnessed a massive traffic jam.

Former Minister and present Councillor Feroz Ahmed Khan told the news agency KNT that there is the least possibility of vote division in Kargil. “In Leh, there is a contest between BJP and Congress candidates, and the votes will get divided there but that will not be the case in Kargil. There is every possibility that Hanifa Jan backed by different political, socio-religious parties will make it up to the parliament,” he said.

A former MLA from Congress, wishing not to be named, also said that a Kargil-based candidate will emerge victorious in the election. He confirmed that Hanifa Jan has full backing from the Congress Kargil Unit. The Islamia School, Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust, and other religious organizations of Kargil have also extended support to Hanifa Jan.

Kargil region has 7,049 more voters than the Leh district; Leh district has 88,877 voters and Kargil 95,926.

Ladakh Buddhist Association president Chering Dorje Lakrook also claimed that Hanifa Jan has a strong chance of winning the seat.

SRINAGAR — Authorities in Ladakh have taken preemptive measures in response to the prevailing security situation by opting to decrease the mobile internet speed to 2G.

A recent directive, issued by Dr Shiv Darshan Singh (IPS), Additional Director General of Police and Head of Police, UT of Ladakh, cited concerns over the potential misuse of mobile data services by anti-social elements and miscreants to incite public unrest via social media platforms. The decision aims to maintain public peace and uphold law and order in the Union Territory.

"Upon consideration of various inputs and aspects, it has been deemed absolutely necessary to scale down the Mobile Data Services to 2G, thereby suspending 3G, 4G, 5G & Public Wi-fi facilities temporarily in the interest of maintenance of public peace," the order stated.

The directive specifically mandates the reduction of internet speed in Leh city within a 10 km radius from 1800 Hrs on April 6, 2024, to 1800 Hrs on April 7, 2024.

SRINAGAR — Renowned environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, who recently concluded a 21-day fast in Leh, has pledged to escalate the movement for Ladakh's full statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule. Amid ongoing protests, including a hunger strike by women in Leh, Wangchuk emphasized a commitment to Gandhian principles in advancing the cause.

Addressing a rally organized by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) on Thursday, according to the news agency KNO, Wangchuk announced plans to intensify the struggle for Ladakh's statehood and Sixth Schedule status, underscoring a peaceful approach inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. He outlined a forthcoming rally in Ladakh's border areas on April 7 as part of this endeavour, aimed at garnering wider support for the cause while advocating for environmental conservation.

LAB affirmed the continuation of the hunger strike, with diverse segments of society, including women, youth, students, and workers, actively participating. Wangchuk's fast, which concluded recently, has been succeeded by a 10-day hunger strike by women, further amplifying the call for Ladakh's statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion.

Expressing disappointment with the BJP government's failure to fulfil manifesto promises, Wangchuk highlighted the need for concrete action in response to Ladakh's long-standing demands. He criticized the Union Home Ministry's rejection of these demands and urged the government to honour its commitments.

In addition to ongoing protests, Wangchuk outlined plans for a series of hunger strikes involving various stakeholders, including religious leaders and elders, to underscore the urgency of Ladakh's statehood aspirations.

A planned march to Changthang on April 7 aims to shed light on the ground realities faced by Ladakh's residents, amidst growing discontent over unmet promises and political representation.

SRINAGAR — The call for a bandh resonated strongly in Leh as various religious organizations rallied for the cause of Ladakh's special status.

Led by prominent figures including Nawang Dorje Lacrook and Sonam Wangchuk from the Leh Apex Body, hundreds gathered in support of implementing the Sixth Schedule in Ladakh to safeguard its unique culture and environment.

According to the news agency KNO, despite talks between Home Ministry officials and Ladakh's public representatives yielding no positive outcomes, Leh witnessed a significant shutdown on Thursday.

Business establishments remained closed, and the streets were devoid of their usual hustle and bustle. Public transportation services came to a standstill, although private vehicles were still seen plying the roads. However, government offices continued operations unaffected by the bandh.

The onset of an indefinite hunger strike by renowned environmentalist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk at the NDS Stadium further underscored the intensity of the demands put forth by Ladakh's populace. The hunger strike commenced following a massive rally that saw participation from across Leh.

Addressing the gathering, Leh Apex Body members Nawang Dorje Lacrook and Sonam Wangchuk reiterated the urgent need for implementing the Sixth Schedule in Ladakh. They emphasized that such measures were essential for the preservation of Ladakh's distinct cultural heritage and pristine environment.

Representatives from Ladakh expressed disappointment, claiming that their demands, including statehood, full implementation of the Sixth Schedule, the establishment of a Public Service Commission, and an additional parliamentary seat for Kargil, were not addressed adequately.

LEH — A herbal garden has come up at an altitude of close to 15,000 feet above sea level in mountainous ranges at Phobrang village in Leh.

His Holiness Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche (Religious/Spiritual leader) founder and chairman of "Go Green Go Organic' a non-profit organization working on environmental and biodiversity conservation through mass plantations in Ladakh and other Himalayan regions commenced the initiative.

The initiative is supported by Councillor of Chushul constituency Konchok Stanzin, who is also the chairman of High Altitude Herbal Garden. Besides, Dr Konchok Dorjey, the vice chairman of the herbal garden is also an expert on medicinal plants in the region.

The medicinal herbal garden aims to serve the well-being of the environment, ecology, biodiversity and mankind.

The herbal garden is now India's highest-located herbal garden.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), medicinal plant expert Dr Konchok Dorjay said that the garden aims to preserve the natural heritage of the region.

“It also aims to conserve rare species and maintain the flora and ecological significance.”

Dorjay said that the saplings and seeds of medicinal plants have been sown.

“The medicinal plants are of high importance for the Buddhists. These medicinal plants are used for different treatments in Ladakh and Tibet,” he said.

“These rare medical plants are only grown in higher altitudes. A specific group of plants like herbs or medicinal plants have been planted. Apart from medicinal uses, these plants also hold great cultural and religious importance.”

He said they planted these saplings and seeds and are taken care of by the people of the closest village and the aim is to be used for research purposes.

“This garden has taken over the herbal garden located at Badrinath Uttarakhand at an altitude of 11,000 feet thus becoming India's highest-located herbal garden,” Dr Konchok Dorjay said.

He said that medicinal plants are perennial plants. “These plants can even survive the minus 30 cold conditions. The maximum temperature they require is 20 to 25 degrees Celsius,” the medicinal plant expert said.

He stated that this is now India's highest-altitude herbal garden. Following this, the group aims to start the research centre there as well. It is believed that the garden has come up with a lot of future-oriented purposes.

Ladakh region known as the cold desert has very meagre plant production. The region witnesses sub-zero temperatures during the winter season every year.

LEH — People from all walks of life held a protest rally in Leh Division of Ladakh, demanding fast-track justice for a minor rape victim. The rally was attended by political leaders, civil society, school children, government employees and traders.

As per the reports from the news agency KNT, all shops and business establishments remained shut in Leh against the gruesome incident that rocked Ladakh two weeks ago.

Notably, a 52-year-old man Sayyad Zulfikar Ali Shah is under police custody on rape charges. A 12-year-old schoolgirl was raped by the culprit on March 29 while giving her a lift in his vehicle when the girl was on her way to school.

Thousands of people participated in the protest rally. Amid sloganeering, the protesters demanded stern punishment for the accused. They said there should be an investigation on a fast-track basis and the accused should be punished under the law without wasting time.

SRINAGAR — A man from Leh allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself to death at a local hotel in the summer capital Srinagar on Friday.

An official told the news agency KDC that a man identified as Youtan Kunskyap son of Rinchan Nurboo, a resident of Sakti village in Leh, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself to death at a local hotel here.

"The body was shifted to SMHS Hospital Srinagar where medico-legal formalities are being conducted," he said.

"The reason behind his action could not be ascertained immediately," the official said adding that proceedings have been launched in this regard.

SRINAGAR — Following the implementation of the Uniform Academic Calendar, the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) has declared the Leh district of Ladakh and 444 other schools as hard zones and has subsequently ordered to conduct the annual regular exams of these areas in the month of April.

According to the news agency KNO, JKBOSE has said, “Annual regular examinations held by the JKBOSE of classes 10th, 11th and 12th shall be held in the month of March in both the divisions of Union territory of J-K and Union Territory of Ladakh excluding hard zones and hard areas.”

The Board notification states that the annual regular examination of hard zones and hard areas of the Union territory of J-K and the Union territory of Ladakh shall be held in the month of April.

“The results of annual regular examination of Kashmir division and Jammu division and Union territory of Ladakh including hard zones and hard areas shall be declared simultaneously in the month of June,” it reads.

It also reads that the annual private and bi-annual examination in Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union territory of Ladakh shall be held in the month of August and its result shall be declared in the month of October.

“The revised academic calendar for the current academic session depicting schedule of the activities of JKBOSE like the tentative date for submission of examination, forms, the conduct of examination, declaration of results etc has also been declared,” reads the notification.

Pertinently, in August, the government said that instead of the November-December session, it will commence with the annual regular Board examinations of 10th-12th standard from March. Prior to the decision, the School Education Department earlier in May had sought a detailed report from the panel constituted for preparing the uniform academic calendar for both divisions of Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier, the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, Arun Kumar Mehta had said that Jammu and Kashmir will fully implement the National Education Policy (NEP) from the current academic session. Mehta also said that the implementation of NEP-2020 will also move to a uniform academic calendar which in turn will be synchronized to the national academic calendar.

In July, the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department (HED) said that Uniform Academic Calendar shall be followed from academic year 2022-23.

LEH — The Congress on Saturday retained Temisgam seat in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh by defeating Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

According to details available with the news agency KNO, Tashi Tundup of Congress defeated BJP’s Dorjay Namgayal by 273 votes in the by-election which was necessitated after the death of a Congress councillor. While Tashi polled 861 votes, BJP’s nominee secured 588 votes.

Meanwhile, the Congress high command has congratulated its Leh unit on the victory and took potshots at former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who recently resigned from the party.

“Here is some breaking news for Modi, Shah and Azad. The Congress party has defeated the BJP by a convincing margin in the Temisgam bye-election to the Ladakh Hill Council. Congratulations to the Ladakh District Congress Committee!,” Jairam Ramesh of the Congress tweeted.

SONMARG — After remaining closed for over two months, 434 km strategic Srinagar-Leh highway was thrown open for light motor vehicles on Friday.

A Beacon official told news agency Kashmir News Trust that the Srinagar-Leh highway had been cleared for all hurdles on 19 March, but vehicles were not allowed to ply on the highway.

“Today the highway was thrown open for the traffic. Only light motor vehicles from Srinagar to Kargil were allowed to ply on the road,” he said.

The highway was closed for vehicular traffic in January this year after the high-altitude areas of Kashmir, including Sonamarg, Zojila Pass, Minimarg, Zero Point, and other parts received heavy snowfall.

The Beacon Official further said that the decision about the movement of the heavy vehicles on the highway will be taken by civil and Police administration in coming days.

Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Krittika Jyotsna along with SSP Ganderbal Nikhil Borker flagged off the first convoy of light motor vehicles at Sonamarg towards Kargil.

Hundreds of light motor vehicles laden with vegetables and fruits crossed the Zojila Pass on Friday morning.