Ladakh MP hails UT status

Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal Monday hailed the Union government's decision to revoke Article 370 and grant his constituency Union Territory status, saying it will usher in development and strengthen border security. Both decisions are in the interest of the country and will help the development of Jammu and Ladakh regions while ridding the state of rules by two families, a reference to Abdullah and Mufti clans, he told reporters.

It is also in the interest of common Kashmiris, the BJP MP said. Namgyal said the decision was necessary for Jammu and Kashmir's overall development and is in national interest as it will strengthen the border security.

People of Ladakh had been demanding a UT status for the region since 1948 as they were always discriminated against by "Kashmir-centric leaders", he said. He said protests by parties like National Conference and PDP should be ignored as he accused them of considering the state their "family business".