I have seen first-hand the tremendous work being done by BRO. And I got a sobering reminder when I crested Khardungla at 17,982 feet on the way to Nubra Valley.
For past few months, Leh & Kargil are united over four demands including statehood. In 2014 & 2019, split in Kargil votes gave Buddhists an edge when it came to electing their MP.
The existing Autonomous Hill Council did not have legislative powers,
hence reducing the people of Ladakh to powerless subjects with just 1
Member of parliament.
Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil have put aside differences to protest, but officials claim UT has 'highest per capita elected representatives' and further ‘autonomy’ could trigger more fights.
While protesters in Ladakh are demanding protection under Sixth Schedule, govt officials say the schedule may give greater autonomy in principle but comes with its own challenges.
Brig. B. D. Mishra (retd.), who took over from L-G R. K. Mathur, has a tough task in hand. Agitators are up against bureaucracy rule & bent on four core demands including statehood.
Disenfranchisement by institutional fiat is profoundly undemocratic. The effect of the ECI's new documentary process in Bihar will tilt the scales in favour of the BJP.
Mini deal will likely see no cut in 10% baseline tariff on Indian exports announced by Trump on 2 April, it is learnt, but additional 26% tariffs are set to be reduced.
India-Russia JV is also racing to deliver 7,000 more AK-203 assault rifles by 15 Aug. These are currently being made with 50% indigenisation and this will surge to 100% by 31 December.
Public, loud, upfront, filled with impropriety and high praise sometimes laced with insults. This is what we call Trumplomacy. But the larger objective is the same: American supremacy.
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