The Tribune – Ladakh needs connectivity, education, says Rahul; Lays foundation of a tunnel at Z-Morh in Sonamarg

Our Correspondent

Leh, October 4. All India Congress Committee general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to the state, addressed a large public gathering at the Polo Ground in Leh today.

In his address, Rahul Gandhi termed the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) as the best model of an institution in terms of decentralisation of power, which plans and monitors the developmental activities at the district level.

While laying the foundation of a tunnel at ‘Z-Morh’ in Sonamarg today, the Congress leader stressed that Ladakh needed connectivity, infrastructural development and education.

The 6.5-km-long two-lane tunnel is being built at a cost of Rs 2,717 crore. It will be constructed by the Border Roads Organisation in five years. “This project is a step towards connecting Ladakh with the rest of the regions through an all-weather road,” he said.

He also assured early approval of the construction of a tunnel at the Zojila by the Central government, adding they were also considering the option of having an all-weather road from Korzok via the Parangla.

Rahul also held a meeting with the councilors of the LAHDC, during which the chief executive councilor of the LAHDC, Leh Rigzin Spalbar, apprised him about the developmental schemes being implemented in the district and rehabilitation of the 2010 cloudburst flashflood victims. The Congress general secretary was accompanied by Union Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh, Pradesh Congress Committee state president Saif-ud-Din Soz and senior congress leader Mohan Prakash.

In his welcome address, state Tourism and Culture Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora told Rahul that politics in Ladakh was based on achievement and performance, which was not found anywhere in the country. He said the Nehru family had special concern for the people of Ladakh.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20121005/j&k.htm#1

The Tribune – SGPC writes to Army seeking control of historic shrine in Leh

Perneet Singh, Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 3. The SGPC has written to the Union Defence Ministry expressing its desire to take over the management of the historic Gurdwara Pathar Sahib, near Leh, in Jammu and Kashmir. The gurdwara is currently being looked after by the Army.

Sources said SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar would meet the Army Chief to take up the matter with him in the near future.

The move came after an SGPC panel visited historic gurdwaras in the Ladakh region and recommended the handing over of the management of gurdwaras located in the Ladakh region to the premiere Sikh body.

The panel recently visited these shrines and took stock of the prevailing scenario there. There are two historic gurdwaras – Gurdwara Pathar Sahib and Gurdwara Datan Sahib – in Ladakh. Both shrines are associated with Guru Nanak Dev.

The Army is currently looking after the management of Gurdwara Pathar Sahib. The panel found that the Army jawans were managing the gurdwara well. “They are maintaining the ‘maryada’ while administering gurdwara affairs. The devotees visiting the shrines are also served ‘langar’.”

However, the panel members felt that there was room for improvement and the SGPC should take over the management of the shrine.

The number of tourists visiting Ladakh has gone up considerably, which has contributed to the increase in the number of devotees visiting the historic gurdwara.

The panel opined that the structure of the gurdwara could be expanded to cater to the future needs.

Gurdwara Datan Sahib is a temporary structure located around an ancient tree near the main market in Leh.

The local Sikhs have been trying to acquire some land and build a gurdwara there.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20121004/punjab.htm#5

The Tribune – Commanding Officer hurt as Major, jawans clash in Leh

Ajay Banerjee & Ehsan Fazili, Tribune News Service

New Delhi/Srinagar, May 11. In a virtual free-for-all, soldiers and officers of an Army unit posted at a remote area of Ladakh clashed among themselves after a jawan allegedly misbehaved with an officer’s wife yesterday.

Among the six injured were the Commanding Officer (CO) of the 226 Field Regiment, Colonel Prasad Kadam, and a Major.

The Army has ordered a court of inquiry and the injured are being treated at the Leh Military Hospital. The Defence Ministry has also sought a report. Army Chief General V K Singh spoke to Northern Army Commander KT Parnaik and discussed the issue.

Army spokesman Colonel Jagdeep Dahiya said the situation was under control.

The incident took place at Mahe near the Nyoma airfield in Leh, about 50 km from the Line of Actual Control, reports said.

Sources said the Regiment — some 550 men and officers — had just finished its firing practice last evening when a fight broke out after a ‘sahayak’ (identified as Suman Ghosh) allegedly misbehaved with a Major’s wife.

The Major then allegedly beat up the jawan and did not allow his medical treatment, fuelling anger among the colleagues. The situation worsened after news reached the Commanding Officer, who reportedly shouted at the Major for his behaviour. The Major, accompanied by five of his colleagues, then, allegedly assaulted the CO in the presence of the jawans, a PTI report said.

The jawans briefly took control of the armoury, but did not withdraw any weapons, sources said. The unit was cordoned off this morning by the Army and state police. The General Office Commanding (GOC) 14 Corps Lt General Ravi Dastane visited the place this morning.

Superintendent of Police (Leh) Vivek Gupta was camping in Nyoma along with heavy reinforcements following a report by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate that Army jawans, armed with sticks and knives, were holding a protest, sources said.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120512/main4.htm