Context: 

Sonam Wangchuk claimed that the Centre’s approach was alienating the youth by sowing the seeds of militancy as the demand for the preservation of land, culture and jobs under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution grew in Ladakh.

About Sonam Wangchuk:

• An Indian engineer, innovator and education reformist.
• Instrumental in the launch of Operation New Hope.
• Invented the Ice Stupa technique.
• Received the Ramon Magsaysay Award.

Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution:

• According to Article 244 of the Indian Constitution, the Sixth Schedule consists of provisions for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
• The 6th Schedule also provides for separate Regional Councils for each area constituted as an autonomous region.

Concerns raised by him:

• 12,000 jobs were promised but the recruitment was completed only for 800 positions.
• Common people and journalists were booked for raising their voices in favour of the Sixth Schedule.
• Now Ladakh has zero representation in the State Assembly (earlier having 4 MLAs).
• One man (L-G, who is an outsider) decides everything and 90% of the ₹6,000 crores allocated to Ladakh is at the dispensation of a non-elected person.

Demands of civil society/political groups in the region:

• Restoration of full-fledged Statehood.
• Constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule.
• Separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.
• Job reservation for locals.

Conclusion: 

The concerns need to be addressed soon to maintain faith in the heart of the people of UT.

News Source: The Hindu & Indian Express 

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