Row over Ladakh’s new districts: MP Haneefa, CEC Akhoon slam ‘unfair’ exclusion of Sankoo–Shakar

In a significant development following the creation of five new districts in Ladakh,  Mohammad Haneefa, MP of Ladakh and Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, chief executive councillor of LAHDC, Kargil, have strongly flagged the exclusion of key regions, asserting that Sankoo–Suru and Shakar–Chiktan–Shargole—among the most populous and geographically expansive areas—continue to be overlooked despite a well-founded claim to district status, and have urged the authorities to address the demand at the earliest.

Reacting to the creation of the new districts, Haneefa said “This marks a significant step towards strengthening grassroots governance and accelerating development in the region”.

However, the MP strongly reiterated in a post on X that “Sankoo–Suru and Shakar–Chiktan–Shargole constitute one of the most populated areas of Ladakh and have genuine demand for district status. Given the large population and vast, far-flung geography of these regions, the creation of a separate district is not only justified but urgently needed. I sincerely hope that this genuine demand will be fulfilled at the earliest”.

Welcoming creation of the new districts, Jaffer demanded immediate notification of district status for Sankoo and Shakar Chiktan Shargole.

In a statement, Jaffer expressed strong resentment and disappointment over the exclusion of Sankoo Sub-Division and Shakar Chiktan Shargole Sub-Division from the present notification.

He stated that this exclusion is deeply unfortunate and a matter that cannot be overlooked. Sankoo Sub-Division is one of the oldest, most densely populated and administratively significant sub-divisions of Kargil district, with a population size, geographic spread, and developmental needs that make it fully deserving of district status. Shakar Chiktan Shargole Sub-Division equally merits the same recognition. Their omission from the current notification is a matter of serious concern for LAHDC Kargil and the people of these regions.

He further stated that as per the notification, Kargil district, which is more populated, has 80 villages remaining, while the neighbouring Leh district has 40 villages remaining. This clearly reflects that Kargil district, given its population size and geographic expanse, genuinely deserves greater administrative attention and relief, and he urged the Government of India and the UT Administration to take note of this and address it with the same seriousness and foresight.

He also raised concern over the allocation of villages among the newly created districts, stating that the inclusion of certain villages in specific districts appears arbitrary and lacks transparent administrative justification, and urged that the allocation criteria be reviewed in a fair, impartial, and need-based manner.