India creates 5 new districts in Ladakh, fuels fears of further fragmentation

India has carved out five new districts in the Ladakh region of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, sparking concerns about ulterior motives. The new districts are named Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang.

Experts see the creation of new districts in Ladakh as a step towards further fragmentation of the region, undermining the demands of the people for greater political rights and safeguards.

By creating new districts without granting political empowerment or extending the Sixth Schedule, New Delhi may be trying to dilute the regional identity and strength of Ladakh, they argue.

This move, the experts feared, could lead to a loss of decision-making power for the people of Ladakh and increased bureaucratic control from New Delhi.

Additionally, the move raises questions about the powers and responsibilities of the new districts and whether they will be fully functional or resemble sub-divisions with limited powers, potentially causing confusion and uncertainty among the people of Ladakh and undermining their trust in the government’s intentions.