Ladakh prepares for Dalai Lama’s visit: Security heightened

Ladakh prepares for Dalai Lama's visit: Security heightened

The administration of Ladakh is on its toes ahead of the scheduled visit of Buddhist spiritual leader Dalai Lama on July 10. This comes even as tensions between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the eastern region of Ladakh have not de-escalated. Security arrangements have been beefed up near the residence of Dalai Lama in Choglamsar and other areas of Leh district. Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Shrikant Suse recently conducted an onsite visit to Jivetsal area to assess the preparedness and review the arrangements for the…

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Ladakh Tourist Trade Body threatens Non-Cooperation Movement over outside Investment

Ladakh Tourist Trade Body threatens Non-Cooperation Movement over outside Investment

Against the backdrop of ongoing struggle for constitutional safeguards for Ladakh region under Sixth Schedule, various trade, tourism and religious groups have warned to launch a “non-cooperation movement” after July 15 against non-local business tycoons and industrialists willing to make big investments in the Union Territory. Under the banner of the Ladakh Tourist Trade Alliance (LTTA), these groups have also cautioned the “outsiders” to cease funding projects in Ladakh and it would not allow any project to be executed in partnership or constructed by an “outsider” (a non-resident of Ladakh…

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Three Ladakh Villages Near LoC Cut Off by Flash Floods

Three Ladakh Villages Near LoC Cut Off by Flash Floods

Connectivity to three strategic villages close to the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan was snapped due to flash floods on Saturday, prompting the Army to swing into action to restore the damaged roads. The road connectivity to the three villages — Turtuk, Tyakshi and Thang — in Nubra Valley region is expected to be restored by Monday. An Army spokesperson said soldiers began work to restore the roads for locals and tourists. The region witnessed unusual flash floods due to the melting of glaciers on higher mountains. Turtuk, which…

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Statehood must be on MHA Agenda for further talks: Ladakh Leaders Firm Stand

Statehood must be on MHA Agenda for further talks: Ladakh Leaders Firm Stand

Ladakh leaders met a panel of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to discuss their four-point agenda, including statehood and special status for the Union Territory under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in Delhi on Monday. The discussion was organised to set the agenda for the high-powered committee (HPC) meeting, scheduled to be held in the coming weeks. The six-member delegation of Ladakh said it wouldn’t take part in the upcoming meeting if the agenda doesn’t include statehood and Sixth Schedule. The other two demands are related to separate…

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LG calls to Ban Rental Bikes from Manali amidst ongoing tussle in Ladakh

LG calls to Ban Rental Bikes from Manali amidst ongoing tussle in Ladakh

Amid the tussle between rental bike operators from Leh and those from Manali, a high-level meeting was held by senior officials with the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) of Ladakh in which the demand to ban rental bikes from Himachal was raised. Ladakh shares its boundary with parts of Himachal Pradesh. Tourists coming from different states often hire bikes from Manali to reach Leh. However, the rental bike operators here have often claimed that it impacts their business. The issue turned hostile recently when residents of Leh vandalised 15 bikes and a…

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Ladakh plans to introduce oxygen parlours for Tourists

Ladakh plans to introduce oxygen parlours for Tourists

The Ladakh administration is set to establish oxygen parlours in different parts of the cold desert to deal with high-altitude sickness that affects hundreds of tourists visiting the UT every year. Director of Health Dr Motup Dorjey said to deal with any high-altitude medical emergency, the department would establish oxygen parlours at the Khardung La top, Gya village on the Leh-Manali highway, Tsoltak, Zangla and Abran health and wellness centres in Zanskar. “Oxygen parlours will also be set up at three new tourist routes opened by the Tourism Department, which…

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Statehood: Ladakh groups protest at Jantar Mantar

Statehood: Ladakh groups protest at Jantar Mantar

A major protest was organised in New Delhi on Wednesday as thousands of people from Ladakh gathered at Jantar Mantar to raise slogans, demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards for jobs and land in the region. Ladakh political leaders, social activists, students and women from different social circles were among the protesters. The Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, which have been at the forefront of the agitation, had called for the demonstration. Apart from statehood, they have been demanding Sixth Schedule under the Constitution for the UT, job…

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‘Being Part Of Kashmir Was Better’ Ladakhi leaders opted out of GoI’s high powered meet

'Being Part Of Kashmir Was Better' Ladakhi leaders opted out of GoI's high powered meet

Ladakhi leaders, having opted out of the Centre’s high powered committee, say they were better off in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir than under the Union Territory administration. Days after the Union home ministry formed a committee, headed by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, to end resentment in the region, the leadership spearheading protests in Ladakh has refused to be part of the panel. The Apex Body of Ladakh and Kargil Democratic Alliance have unanimously decided that it will not be part of the any…

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MHA sets up high-powered panel for land, employment safeguards for Ladakh UT

MHA sets up high-powered panel for land, employment safeguards for Ladakh UT

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has constituted a high-powered committee to discuss safeguards for Union Territory of Ladakh. According to an order, the committee will be headed by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanad Rai. “It has been decided to constitute a High Powered Committee (HPC) under the chairmanship of Shri Nityanand Rai, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Gol, for the Union Territory of Ladakh,” reads the order. As per the order, the committee has been set up to discuss measures to protect the region’s unique culture and…

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Heli services started in Ladakh, covering Leh, Kargil, Padum, Lingshed, Dibling, Neyrak, Diskit, Turtuk, Srinagar and Jammu

Heli services started in Ladakh, covering Leh, Kargil, Padum, Lingshed, Dibling, Neyrak, Diskit, Turtuk, Srinagar and Jammu

The helicopter services in Ladakh are now open for tourists to travel across the Union Territory, with the first batch of tourists having already availed the heli-service, officials said. The first batch took the helicopter ride here on Tuesday. The helicopter services operated by the administration will be available to the locals and tourists across sectors in the Union Territory, they said. Rates to avail the service have been notified by the administration for the residents of Ladakh, according to the order from Ladakh’s civil aviation department. “Individuals desirous of…

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