Non-cooperative movement threatened by Ladakh Tourist Trade body against outside businesspersons

New Delhi: The Ladakh Travel Trade Alliance (LTTA), a collective of various trade unions, religious organizations, and political groups in Ladakh, has announced its intention to initiate a non-cooperation movement after July 15.

The movement is targeted at external business tycoons seeking to establish enterprises in the Union Territory, as reported by the Kashmir Observer newspaper.

In a press conference, the president of LTTA emphasized that the tourism industry is vital for the region, with around ninety per cent of the local population depending on it. Consequently, the LTTA is determined not to allow outsiders to set up businesses in Ladakh, a Union territory.

The LTTA president further warned that after the specified date, no partnerships or construction projects funded by outsiders would be permitted.

The LTTA president argued that the region already possesses luxury hotels equipped with modern amenities, questioning the need for external investments.

The primary concern, he stressed, is safeguarding the locals' livelihoods, and preventing anyone from encroaching upon their sole source of income.

While he clarified that the issue is not about locals versus nonlocals, he underscored their unwillingness to let anyone undermine their economic stability.

The president cited an example where three local youths who had collaborated with a non-resident Indian (NRI) to operate the Indus River Camp had severed their partnership due to anticipated risks.

He expressed appreciation for others who had also dissociated from outside individuals, commending their understanding of the situation.

The LTTA issued a warning to a prominent hotelier in Ladakh, making it clear that only locals from Ladakh would be permitted to establish businesses in the Union Territory.

In April 2021, the Ladakh Tourist Trade Alliance in Leh passed a resolution opposing investments from outsiders in the tourism sector.

They then also threatened to impose restrictions, including non-cooperation from the travel trade fraternity and community and political organizations, in response to such investments.

In recent years, there have been scattered protests in Ladakh calling for statehood and recognition under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

The protests were organized by the Leh Apex Body, an alliance of social, political, and religious groups representing Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim communities. The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) also joined the movement, demanding similar rights in the Kargil Division.

With advocating for Ladakh's statehood, and constitutional safeguards akin to the Sixth Schedule they also then demanded increased parliamentary representation and employment opportunities.

This agitation marks a significant development since the loss of special reservation rights due to the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.

It also stems from the perceived lack of progress following dialogues initiated by the Union home ministry in the previous year to address the concerns of Ladakhis.

The region's transformation into a Union Territory occurred nearly four years ago. Then the initial reception of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act was positive among many residents due to their longstanding demand for Union Territory status.