'Entire Ladakh would have burnt down,' L-G Kavinder Gupta defends police action: Report

Kavinder Gupta was appointed as Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh just two months ago

In an interview to The Indian Express, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has defended the recent police action in Leh that left four people dead, saying the situation could have spiraled out of control without it. “If police had not taken the decision to open fire that day, the entire Ladakh would have been burnt down. The unity and integrity of the country cannot be compromised. But I assure you, none of this will impede the development and progress of Ladakh,” Gupta told the publication.

The violence erupted amid ongoing protests over demands of statehood and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule for several years, along with unemployment and lack of opportunities in the Union Territory. The demonstrations led to the death of at least 4 individuals with several severely injured. Gupta, who took charge as L-G just two months ago, acknowledged the frustrations but insisted the administration has been working to address local demands.

“We have taken care of the demands of Ladakh. The Government of India is engaged with the issues and is holding dialogue with representatives here. Based on their demands, the government recently said that 85% of government jobs would be reserved for domiciled Ladakhis – over and above the 10% quota for EWS. That virtually covers the whole population," he told The Indian Express.

According to him, since 2019, around 8,000 jobs have been provided, in addition to 4,000 for daily wagers and 5,000 in the Ladakh Scouts of the Indian Army. He said tourism, agriculture, and homestays are also being promoted to generate employment. “Opportunities are also being created in the field of agriculture. The people of Ladakh are good people. They have a positive response towards the Army and the country. We want that whatever issues the people have, these should be resolved through dialogue," he said in the interview.

On complaints that Ladakh lacks a proper recruitment policy and most jobs remain contractual, Gupta argued that building systems in a new Union Territory takes time. “Ladakh is a newly formed UT, everything takes time. And even J&K has around one lakh contractual employees. But this does not mean you engage in violence,” he said. He pointed to recent recruitment drives and improvements in schools, hospitals, and sports infrastructure, including Rs 550 crore being spent on stadiums.

Civil society groups have also accused the administration of sidelining the Leh and Kargil hill councils. Gupta rejected the charge, saying the councils have ample powers and funds. “Hill councils have all the land with them. We do not interfere in those matters at all. Today hill councils are getting a lot of funds. They have a budget of Rs 300 crore each. That once used to be the budget of the entire Ladakh.”

Asked why people continue to protest, the L-G blamed political instigation. “You have to see how the people were instigated. A certain political party was involved in all this. The leaders leading the agitation are themselves saying it went out of their control. That political party conducted a press conference saying they will burn down the BJP office. They burnt down the LAHDC office. It is a democratic institution.”

On fears of demographic change in the absence of Article 370 protections, Gupta stressed Ladakh’s domicile rules are more stringent than Jammu and Kashmir’s. “In Ladakh, the domicile policy is prospective. It will kick in only after 2034. When Ladakh was a part of J&K, people of that region used to stay here. Isn’t Ladakh a part of India? Is it a foreign country?”

Responding to concerns raised by activists like Sonam Wangchuk over large solar power projects, Gupta maintained that development and ecology are being balanced. “Our industrial policy is sustainable and ecologically sensitive. We are taking care of ecological concerns. But that said, if the Army has to build infrastructure at Galwan, will it be stopped because of ecological concerns? Whatever is necessary for national security will have to be done.”

The L-G highlighted government support for homestays, horticulture, and solar-powered hotels to create self-employment. He also cited incentives for doctors in remote areas. “Doctors posted in remote areas under the National Health Mission here get a salary of Rs 2.5 lakh a month. My own salary is only Rs 2.25 lakh.”

Gupta appealed to Ladakh’s youth. “I am with the people of Ladakh. I will sit with the youth and find a solution to their problems. We will engage with Ladakh intellectuals. We will discuss all issues with an open heart and mind. We are committed to working for the betterment of Ladakh, balancing all the concerns.”