Leh Merchant Association calls for half-day bandh in Ladakh today

By: Tasaduq Hussain

Leh: The Merchant Association, Leh, has decided to observe half day bandh today as a ‘mark of protest against the statement of a J&K BJP leader about the LAHDC election boycott issue’.

In statement to News agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the association said: “To condemn the unacceptable/irresponsible statement given by BJP General Secretary [of J&K] in regards to LAHDC Leh election boycott called by Apex Body Peoples Movement for Sixth Schedule for Ladakh yesterday, Merchant Association Leh in support of Apex Body has decided to observe half day bandh on 24 September, 2020.”

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which had earlier advised the administration to postpone the LAHDC elections in view of the spike in COVID cases in Leh, has also condemned the statement of the BJP General Secretary.

In a statement the party president said that, “The remarks like ‘Bakwas and nonsense is highly condemnable and it is a very shameful and unacceptable opinion and people of Ladakh will never tolerate such interferences in internal affairs.”

District Congress Committee (DCC), Leh, in a statement, also condemned the statement of the BJP leader and said he “should take back his words and seek unconditional apology from the people of Ladakh.”

The remarks of BJP, General Secretary has evoked wide resentment with people including the students body showing serious resentment against it and demanding 6th Schedule for the region, besides the complete poll boycott. —(KNO)