Leh: Facing criticism for alleged highhandedness, the Ladakh administration on Sunday defended its decision to revoke land allotted over seven years ago to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s university project, saying the move was strictly in accordance with rules.
The decision, however, drew sharp opposition from the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which along with the Leh Apex Body (LAB) has been spearheading an agitation for statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh. The groups warned of mass protests against what they termed an attempt to intimidate local leadership.
In an order issued on August 21, Leh Deputy Commissioner Romil Singh Donk said 1,076 kanals and 1 marla (over 53.8 hectares) of land allotted in 2018 to the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning (HIAL) “stands escheated to the State, i.e., LAHDC (Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council).” The order directed the Tehsildar, Leh, to clear the land of encumbrances and update revenue records.
The administration argued that the land in Phyang was leased for 40 years specifically to set up a university, which has not materialised. “No lease agreement was executed, and no formal handover of the land ever took place,” the order stated.
Responding a day after Wangchuk accused the administration of a “witch-hunt” and threatened legal action, Ladakh Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal said the lease was cancelled solely due to “non-utilisation of land for the proposed university.”
“This is a unique case. No land will be taken back from people legitimately using state or barren land for agriculture or housing, provided documents are in order,” Kotwal clarified. He added that a committee has been formed to streamline Ladakh’s land records.
Meanwhile, KDA leaders strongly condemned the move, calling it a deliberate attempt to undermine Ladakh’s leadership. “We see this as an effort to browbeat those fighting for statehood and Sixth Schedule,” said co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai in Kargil, flanked by senior members including chairman Qamar Ali Akhoon.
Karbalai said the executive body of KDA met for the first time since its hunger strike earlier this month and discussed the cancellation of the land lease as well as the “suspicious” deployment of large numbers of CRPF personnel in the region.
“Almost three months have passed since our last meeting with the Home Ministry on May 27, yet no fresh talks have been scheduled. We urge the Centre not to test our patience. If people come out on the streets, the government will be responsible,” he warned.
Calling the lease cancellation a “grave concern,” Karbalai stressed that it was “not an individual issue but part of a broader attempt to pressurise leaders of the movement.” He warned the administration to stop “arm-twisting tactics” before the situation escalates.
The KDA and LAB will chalk out their next steps once the Dalai Lama returns from Ladakh, Karbalai said.
On youth employment, Chief Secretary Kotwal noted that the administration is prioritising recruitment. “The board has advertised 534 posts on July 16, and over 1.5 lakh applications have been received. Recruitment for non-gazetted posts remains our focus to benefit Ladakh’s youth,” he said.
