Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the recent unrest in Leh should serve as an eye-opener to how the people of Jammu and Kashmir feel about the denial of statehood, even though Ladakh itself was never promised one.
The remarks came after a statehood movement in Ladakh turned violent, with clashes, arson, and street protests in Leh leaving four people dead and at least 45 injured, including 22 police personnel.
“Ladakh wasn’t even promised statehood—they celebrated UT status in 2019 and feel betrayed and angry,” Abdullah wrote on X. “Now imagine how betrayed and disappointed we in J&K feel when the promise of statehood remains unfulfilled despite our democratic, peaceful, and responsible demands.”
Former Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the unrest underscores the need for the Centre to go beyond day-to-day crisis management and address the root causes of such discontent.
“It’s time for the Government of India to undertake a sincere appraisal of what has truly changed since 2019. This video isn’t from the Kashmir Valley, often seen as the epicentre of unrest, but from Leh, where protesters have set police vehicles and a BJP office on fire,” she wrote on X.
Mufti added that Leh, historically known for peaceful and measured protests, is now witnessing a worrying shift toward violent demonstrations. “People feel betrayed, insecure, and let down by unfulfilled promises. The Government must urgently and transparently address the underlying causes of this discontent,” she said.
