KARGIL: Thousands of people from across the Sankoo region gathered at Mini Stadium Sankoo to celebrate the creation of Sankoo as the eighth district of the Union Territory of Ladakh, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the people.
People from different religious, political and social organisations participated in the celebrations. The gathering included people from areas stretching from TSG to Parkachik and Ichu to Umba.
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena, who was accorded a grand welcome, said the demand for district status was genuine and had been pending for decades. He said community leaders had strongly pursued the demand during his recent meetings with them.
The Lieutenant Governor said he had conveyed the aspirations of the people to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and subsequently received approval for the creation of the district. He said the necessary instructions were issued, the notification was prepared and personally signed by him before being brought to Sankoo.
Mr Saxena said the creation of Sankoo District reflects the aspiration of the people to have administration and public services closer to their doorstep. He called for collective efforts to take the new district forward and address its developmental requirements.
CEC LAHDC Kargil Dr Mohammad Jaffar Akhoon expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, LG Ladakh and all those who supported the demand. He said granting district status to Sankoo had been his long-standing dream and that political, religious and social organisations had worked together for its fulfilment.
People from different sections of society also expressed gratitude to the Government of India and the UT Administration of Ladakh, saying the decision would improve administrative accessibility, public service delivery and development opportunities in the region.
Chief Secretary Ladakh Ashish Kundra, DGP Ladakh Anand Jain, MP Ladakh Haji Hanifa Jan, CEC LAHDC Kargil Dr Mohammad Jaffar Akhoon and Chief Patron of Anjuman-e-Sahib-e-Zaman Aga Syed Mohammad Migi Outh, among others, were present during the celebrations.
The gathering marked the fulfilment of a long-pending aspiration of the people of Sankoo and adjoining areas.
