New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has scheduled a crucial meeting on October 22 with representatives from the Leh Apex Body (LAB), the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), and Ladakh’s Member of Parliament to discuss the long-standing demand for statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule for the Union Territory of Ladakh.
According to LAB, three representatives each from the LAB, KDA, and the Ladakh MP will attend the meeting. A spokesperson for the LAB said, “We were informed by the Home Ministry that a meeting of the sub-committee is scheduled for October 22, and both LAB and KDA are invited to it. We welcome the government of India’s decision and look forward to a positive outcome from the dialogue.”
The talks come in the wake of violent protests that erupted in Leh on September 24 during a shutdown organized by the LAB. The demonstration aimed to press the Centre for discussions on Ladakh’s demands for full statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, which provides constitutional safeguards for tribal regions.
The protest turned violent, resulting in four deaths and multiple injuries after clashes broke out between demonstrators and security forces. Over 50 people were arrested for alleged rioting. Activist Sonam Wangchuk, the prominent face of the movement, was detained under the National Security Act (NSA), which allows preventive detention for up to a year in the interest of national defense or public order.
Government sources said earlier attempts at dialogue were made on July 20, but there was no response from the local groups. Both LAB and KDA have been leading the agitation, insisting that Ladakh’s unique cultural, environmental, and tribal identity needs to be constitutionally protected through the Sixth Schedule and restoration of full-fledged statehood.
