Ladakhis Fear That 'Union Territory' Status Will Turn Ladakh Into Uttarakhand Or Himachal

Many people from belong from Ladakh, now Union Territory, are not happy after the abrogation of Article 370 in the former state of Jammu & Kashmir.

Anxiety has now replaced initial celebrations in Ladakh. The fear of "outsiders" threatening the existence of locals has gripped the streets of Leh. It¡¯s been over a month after Ladakh got a separate UT status.

People in Ladakh always craved for a separate identity from Jammu and Kashmir. But the move has now left many apprehensive about the loss of special status, they enjoyed under the previous arrangement, which insulated them from external influences.

Over a period of time, Ladakh has become a favourite of tourists due to militancy and insurgency in neighbouring Kashmir. Ladakh becomes a thriving tourist hotspot, especially in summer, boosting the local economy.

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"We are simple people. With whatever little knowledge we have of tourism, we try to earn in six months to survive for the whole year. But once big industrialists are allowed to buy land, we will be out of competition as we don't have the wealth and skill to match them," Skalzanj Dadul, a taxi driver, told IANS.

The apprehensive natives want to run their own affairs, but insist that tourists are still welcome.

The native population thinks that Ladakh will soon turn into Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand due to extreme commercialisation.

"You will see Leh turning into Nainital or Shimla, which have lost their original lustre due to influx of investments. The locals merely turn into employees of outsiders," said Pim Pim Avezevdo, who sells pashmina silk mufflers to foreign tourists.

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A waiter at a small caf¨¦ in in Old Leh town confessed that they fear the loss of special status which they once enjoyed.

"All I know is that everyone was in celebratory mood when they announced a separate UT of Ladakh, but after 3-4 days my manager told me how absence of Article 370 would turn adverse for us and will allow migrated labourers to replace us,¡± he told IANS.

Recently, Union Tourism and Cultural Minister Prahlad Singh Patel, addressed a gathering in Leh and assured people living in Ladakh that their livelihood will be protected from outsiders, including their land and profits.