Ladakh representatives are set to hold crucial talks with a sub-committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Delhi on October 22. The objective of the meeting is to push forward their demand for statehood and constitutional safeguards, officials said.
Co-chairman of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) Chering Dorje Lakruk told reporters on Sunday that three representatives each from LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), along with Ladakh MP Mohd Haneefa Jan, will participate in the dialogue. “We welcome the government’s decision to invite us and look forward to a positive outcome of the discussions,” he said.
Month after violent protests
The announcement comes nearly a month after violent protests erupted in Leh on September 24 during a shutdown called by LAB. The unrest, which demanded talks with the Centre on statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh, left four people dead and scores injured.
Over 50 individuals were detained for rioting and activist Sonam Wangchuk, a key figure in the agitation, was held under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). Under this act, detention is allowed for up to 12 months to prevent acts “prejudicial to the defence of India”.
What are the demands?
An offer for talks was earlier extended on July 20 but no response was received at the time, PTI reported through government sources.
LAB and KDA have been leading the push for greater autonomy and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh since the Union Territory’s formation. Both the groups have stressed upon the need for statehood and protection under the Sixth Schedule to ensure development and local governance rights.