Zanskar has been awarded three more seats on Kargil LAHDC, bringing their total to 6 (although with the inclusion of Executive Councillor, Tourism and Industries, Sonam Namgyal, Zanskar will have a total of seven representatives on the LAHDC Kargil). Reported in a number of publications, including T Morup's excellent 'The Magpie', the granting of three additional seats caused so much dissatisfaction amongst Kargil District's Muslim majority that a general strike was called last Sunday (13th May). The bone of contention is that more populated areas of Kargil District were overlooked in favour of (Buddhist majority) Zanskar Sub-Division.

Although I would generally support Zanskar's corner (Kargil administration more often that not gives Zanskar a rough ride), I do have a degree of sympathy for Kargil's disgruntled majority. In a District of around 120,000 people, Zanskaris constitute just over 12,000. Yet, per capita, Zanskaris now command approximately twice as many Councillor seats than any other Kargil Block. To give credit to Zanskar there are many people on the ground who have been fighting for more representation since the granting of LAHDC status to Kargil in 2003. The realist in me wonders why Kargil has made this seemingly generous political move. Perhaps word on the ground will shed more light on this - I'm heading out to Zanskar in a weeks time.

Signing off until July.