Mufti touch warms hearts in Ladakh

No gesture could have been better than this to the ‘‘healing touch’’ of the Mufti Mohammed government in J-K. To express...

No gesture could have been better than this to the ‘‘healing touch’’ of the Mufti Mohammed government in J-K. To express gratitude for ensuring their participation in development of the state, over 10,000 Ladakh Buddhists yesterday stood in biting cold under sub zero temperature at the Leh polo ground to welcome the Chief Minister and leaders of the ruling coalition.

It was the first such civic reception accorded to any visiting politician by Ladakh Buddhists during the past few years. The same Buddhists who, during the Assembly polls in September, had shut their doors on politicians, making them disband local party units and support two Independents fielded by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LADHC).

‘‘A new atmosphere has been created by the government to integrate people and the regions by removing the imbalances,’’ said LAHDC chairman Thupstan Chewang, reacting to the empowerment of LAHDC.

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With the entire leadership of the coalition government turning up to meet the developments of Leh, Chewang said: ‘‘They (coalition government) are true representatives of the people’’. Others accompanying Mufti included PCC chief Ghulam Nabi Azad, Panthers Party chief Bhim Singh and CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami, besides PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti.

Mufti played to the gallery. He rebuffed his opponents , saying: ‘‘My government’s policy of healing touch is aimed at assuaging the feelings of alienation, neglect and discrimination that often threaten the unity of the state.’’

Ladakh Buddhists have a reason to feel grateful to the present government. Within two months of taking over the reins, the government has given Cabinet status to the LAHDC chief executive councillor and status of deputy ministers of the executive councillors.