Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has announced the creation of Sankoo as a new district, a significant administrative development for the people of the Kargil region that advances a long-standing demand for greater administrative accessibility.
The announcement was made by the Lieutenant Governor at a public rally at Sankoo. He said the decision was in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.” Saxena credited the constructive efforts of Anjuman-e-Sahib Zaman, led by Chief Patron Syed Mohammad Razvi (Aga Migi Outh) and Chairman Sheikh Sadiq Balaghi. He also credited Dr Jaffer Akhoon, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil, Member of Parliament Mohammad Haneefa Jan and former Chief Executive Councillor Tashi Gyalson.
Congratulating those who had worked towards the demand, the Lieutenant Governor described the announcement as the culmination of the long-held aspirations of the people of the area. Sankoo’s elevation has been a persistent demand among local representatives and residents, who argued that the area’s population, geographical spread and distance from administrative headquarters warranted a separate district to improve access to government services and strengthen local administration. In a region of long distances and harsh winters, travelling to a distant district headquarters for routine official work can be a considerable burden.
The demand had been pressed at the highest level earlier this year. In March, a delegation from Kargil raised the creation of Sankoo and Shakar-Chiktan districts during a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking their inclusion in the proposed administrative reorganisation of Ladakh.
Ladakh had announced five new districts in April 2026, namely Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass, which took the number of districts from two to seven. Sankoo is the sixth new district announced in the reorganisation. Once it is formally notified and made operational, Ladakh will have eight districts in all.
The announcement carries a caveat that residents will watch closely. The creation of the district is yet to be formally notified, and the process of setting up offices, staff and administrative arrangements will determine how soon the benefits reach people on the ground. The announcement does not mention Shakar-Chiktan, which was raised alongside Sankoo in the March meeting. For now, the decision is being seen in Kargil as a recognition of a demand that has been voiced for years and as a step towards bringing governance closer to the people.
