Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday reacted sharply to the arrest of Ladakh-based environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, calling it “very unfortunate” and accusing the central government of repeatedly backtracking on promises made to the people of Ladakh.

“I don’t know why the central government backtracks on the promises it made to the people of Ladakh, just like promises were made to us in Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Srinagar. Omar recalled that before the last Hill Council elections in Leh, a Union Minister had visited the region at a time when locals had announced a poll boycott. “That minister made certain promises, after which people participated in the elections and the BJP emerged victorious. Those assurances r

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