Srinagar, Sep 16: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has cautioned the political leadership in Ladakh and Kargil against relying on verbal assurances from the Centre, advising them to seek written and signed commitments on their demands.
Speaking about the ongoing issues in Ladakh, Abdullah said the region had its own concerns, separate from those of Jammu and Kashmir, but offered its leaders advice based on his own experience.
“Now, Ladakh has its own issues. Our issues are different. But I can only advise the leaders of Ladakh, as a friend and elder brother: please do not believe any promise made by the central government unless it is given to you in writing and signed,” he said.
“Because we have suffered from the same thing,” Abdullah added.
The chief minister referred to the Centre’s alleged verbal assurance regarding restoration of J&K’s statehood after the Assembly elections, saying that the commitment had not materialised.
“We were also given a verbal promise that immediately after the elections, statehood would be restored. It has now been almost two years, and that promise is nowhere to be seen,” he said.
Abdullah’s remarks come amid continuing demands in Ladakh for greater political safeguards and constitutional protections, with the region’s leadership pressing the Centre on issues including statehood and representation.
Addressing the leaders of Ladakh and Kargil directly, Abdullah urged them to insist on formal documentation of any commitment made by the Centre.
“To the leaders of Ladakh and Kargil, my folded-hands request would be: please do not believe verbal promises made by the central government,” he said.
“Unless you get something in writing, in the form of an affidavit, I do not think the people of Ladakh will be able to achieve anything,” Abdullah added.
He said the outcome would ultimately depend on what the people of Ladakh were able to secure through the ongoing process.
“The rest, whatever is in their destiny, they will get,” he said.
