Leh, Ladakh: The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) which governs the district politically has assured full support to the Tibetan people in Ladakh.
Sonam Dawa Lhunpo, the Chief Executive Councillor of the council, received Dr. Lobsang Sangay, President of Central Tibetan Administration upon his arrival at Kushok Bakula Rinpoche airport in Leh on 3 July. The council also hosted a luncheon reception for President Dr Lobsang Sangay and Kalon Phagpa Tsering as honoured guests on Friday, 7 July, in an expression of support and affinity with the Tibetan people.
The Chief Councillor was the guest of honour at the public felicitation of President Dr Sangay organized by the Tibetan community in Ladakh held on July 8.
In his address to the public, Sonam Dawa Lhunpo assured the LAHDC’s full support to the Tibetan people in Ladakh. He promised the council’s commitment and efforts towards the adoption of Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy Act in Jammu & Kashmir, particularly in Ladakh with a substantial number of Tibetan inhabitation.
President Dr Sangay spoke about the rich historical and cultural bond shared by the people of Ladakh and Tibet. He urged the state authorities for the implementation of the Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy 2014 in the state which he said would help authorities in Ladakh to work efficiently and effectively towards the betterment of Tibetans in Ladakh.
Dr Sangay spoke about Kashag’s Five-Fifty vision that seeks to achieve genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people within the next five years while also signaling to the Chinese government that it has the ability to survive for the next 50 years in exile if needed.
Tseten Wangchuk, Chief Representative Officer of Sonamling Tibetan Settlement touched on the land disputes in the district and briefly apprised President Dr Sangay about the on-going project in the settlement. He thanked the Chief Coucillor for his efforts to ameliorate the situation and brig about institutional support for the welfare and well-being of Tibetan residents in Ladakh.
Besides President Dr Lobsang Sangay and Chief Executive Councillor Sonam Dawa Lhunpo, others who attended the public felicitation include Tibetan Parliamentarian Dhondup Tashi, Settlement officer of Sonamling Tibetan settlement, Chairman of Local Tibetan Assembly, Secretary of Local Justice and Director of TCV School in Ladakh.
President Dr Lobsang Sangay, Central Tibetan Administration during his meeting with members of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, 7 July 2017.