Support demand for divisional status to Ladakh: BJP

Backing the creation of a separate division for Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir unit of BJP has urged Governor Satya Pal Malik not to "succumb to the blackmailing tactics" of the valley-centric parties on the issue.

"Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are three distinct geographical entities and are referred to as the three regions of the state," Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) state spokesperson Anil Gupta said in a statement here.

"Hence, the demand of granting a divisional status to Ladakh is fully justified and BJP supports and endorses the demand," he added.

The BJP requests the Governor not to give in or succumb to the "blackmailing tactics" of the valley-centric parties, Gupta said.

On December 7, People's Democratic Party (PDP) president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti had warned of an agitation if the state administration, headed by Malik, accorded divisional status to Ladakh region, while ignoring Pir Panjal and Chenab valley of Jammu region.

"There are reports that the governor's administration will accord a divisional status to Ladakh. We are not against it."