Open Kargil-Skardu road movement begins across Ladakh Protests erupt, Sheikh Na’Zir calls for intensifying the movement

Thousands of people on Friday took part in protest demonstrations in Kargil held as part of ‘Open Kargil-Skardu movement’ to demand re-opening of the road between Kargil and Skardu.

The major protest was held in Kargil town after Friday prayers which was led by the President AJUIAK, Shiekh Na’Zir Mehdi Mohammadi and other clerics, social and political activists.

The protesters marched from Anjuman Jamiyat Ullama office through Khomeini Chowk to Laal-Chowk.

Anjuman Jamiyat Ullama Isna Ashriya Kargil (AJUIAK) appealed the people to support the movement.

Sheikh Na’zir Mehdi Mohammadi said around 12000 to 15,000 families remained divided due to the closure of the road. He requested the government of India to open Kargil- Skardu Road and Turtuk-Khapulo Road on humanitarian grounds.

Referring to the resolution of the Parliament of India passed in 1994, he said if India considers Gilgit-Baltistan as its integral part then they should also consider the plight of the people of GB and Ladakh. “The families were divided in a night in 1947 and again in 1971 more villages like Hundermo, Budgam, Tyakshi and Cholunkha came under India and more family got divided,” he said.

Sheikh Na’zir Mehdi Mohammadi said that many of these family members died in the hope that they will meet their dear ones.

He said that New Delhi should take up the matter with Pakistan as they have already said they were ready to open this route.

Similar protests were also held in Drass area of Ladakh where people called for opening of the traditional route.