Ladakh celebrates '1st Independence Day'

Leh : Ladakh, which will become a Union Territory after the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, celebrated Independence Day with fervour on Thursday, with local BJP MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal saying the region has got "independence from Kashmir".

The parliamentarian, whose speech in the Lok Sabha after abrogation of special status to Jammu and Kashmir drew praises, was seen dancing and playing the drums along with the locals.

Accompanied by BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav, Namgyal hoisted the national flag at the local party office.

On August 5, the Centre stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status given under Article 370 and split it into two Union territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, which will come into existence on October 31.

The region has got "independence from Kashmir" and the celebration is "just a trailer" for the development of Ladakh, Namgyal said.

Banners bearing slogans like "UT of Ladakh celebrates its 1st Independence Day" were hanging along the roads of this picturesque town.