LEH, AUGUST 26, 2021: In a letter to the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) LAHDC Leh and simultaneously in a press conference on Wednesday, various transport associations from Leh have alleged misinterpretation of Court order and “malicious intentions” to create regional hatred by Taxi Operators and Owners Cooperative Union Ltd. Kargil.

In a representation regarding High Court case No WP (C) 1584/2021. CMP 5346/CMP No 5346/2021 and press conference in social media by Taxi Union Kargil Ladakh, the transport operators of District Leh maintained that the transport operators have a very short working season in addition to soaring unemployment issue. For this reason, many of the educated youths have invested in taxis.

They further maintained that to date twin districts Leh and Kargil were operating their taxies in their respective districts only without any interference in each other jurisdiction. Leh caps were not allowed to ply in interior parts of Kargil district such as Zanskar, Suru valley, Shakar Chiktan, Drass Areas; whereas cabs from Kargil are not permitted to ply in the interior part of Leh District which was according to a social understanding by both the parties.

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“After the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of J&K and formation of UT Ladakh few Taxi owners of Kargil are creating an issue that they have right to ply their taxis in the interior part of Leh district without any justification”, the above-mentioned letter maintained. Even though 99 percent of taxis in the Kargil district has only district permit which your good office (DM) may verify from ARTO office Kargil.

Besides these, the taxi union Kargil has approached Hon’ble High Court with submission to ply their taxies in the interior part of Leh district. While Hon’ble High Court has not mentioned clear order to ply Kargil Taxi in the interior part of Leh district.

The taxi operators also maintained that there is a number of MoU signed between transport unions of both the districts with regard to all types of vehicles whereas it is mentioned that both transport society will ply their vehicles in their respective districts only.

The taxi operators further alleged that the “so-called” taxi union Kargil has taken “mala fide” advantage of the court order and conducted a press conference by way of wrong interpretation which is contempt of Court. They further warned that the alleged interference of the Kargil Taxi union in Leh by instigating the general public on a regional basis is a matter of concern between two districts, which may lead to disharmony.

“This representation is submitted to your good office by Taxi Union with support of all the transport societies of Leh District which is endorsed by all the transport communities. Whereas if we accommodate a huge number of vehicles in Leh district it will create environmental hazardous in Leh district”, the letter to DC maintained.

The taxi operators of Leh demanded the DC Leh to look into the matter with the court order with proper interpretation and may restrain any private parties from Kargil to interfere in district administration Leh so that we all shall maintain peace and harmony in Ladakh.

Pertinent to mention that the Taxi Operators and Owners Cooperative Union Ltd. Kargil has been on an indefinite strike demanding to ply on inner routes in whole Ladakh without any interruption or “illegal” blockade.