NEW DELHI: Ladakh’s new chief secretary Ashish Kundra has listed addressing people’s aspirations as a key priority, stressing the Union territory’s “civilisational history of peace must be treasured and preserved”.The senior IAS officer, who took charge Thursday, comes in at a time of heightened tensions over demands by Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) for statehood and Sixth Schedule status.Four statehood protesters were killed in alleged police firing on Sept 24. Climate activist and LAB member Sonam Wangchuk was among the over 70 people arrested after the violence.Kundra, who previously served as principal secretary to Delhi LG VK Saxena, also echoed concerns over Ladakh’s fragile ecology, warning against “reckless construction in the name of development”.
