Srinagar, Sep 25 || Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and president of the ruling National Conference (NC), Dr Farooq Abdullah, said on Thursday that violence in Ladakh erupted after peaceful protests failed to produce the desired result, and he urged the Centre to start a dialogue with the agitating people of the region.
Addressing a media conference here, Dr Abdullah said the unrest in Ladakh was internal and started by the locals, and there was no conspiracy involved.
He warned the Central government that neglecting their long-standing demands could deepen unrest in the sensitive Himalayan region.
“The recent violent incidents in Leh were the direct outcome of years of unaddressed grievances. Ladakhis have been demanding inclusion under the Sixth Schedule and restoration of statehood for the past five years, but have only received vague assurances. Whatever happened in Ladakh was not good. People have been struggling peacefully under the leadership of Sonam Wangchuk, who adopted Gandhian methods, but nothing came out of it. When the youth of Leh realised their voices were being ignored, they resorted to violence,” Abdullah remarked.