Ladakh Leaders Suspend Talks With Centre Following Deadly Protests
The Leh Apex Body (LAB) has announced it will not participate in scheduled talks with the Union Home Ministry until normalcy is restored in Ladakh. The decision follows violent clashes on September 24 where four protesters were killed. The LAB is demanding a judicial inquiry into the deaths and the creation of a conducive atmosphere before resuming dialogue. The talks were intended to address long-standing demands for statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution for the Union Territory.
Unpacked:
Their core demands include statehood for Ladakh, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution for greater autonomy, a judicial inquiry into the deaths during recent protests, and the unconditional release of detained activist Sonam Wangchuk.
The clashes occurred during protests demanding statehood and constitutional protections for Ladakh. Tensions escalated between demonstrators and security forces, resulting in four deaths and several injuries. The Kargil Democratic Alliance blamed the Union Territory administration for the violence.
Sonam Wangchuk is a prominent Ladakhi environmentalist and activist known for advocating non-violence and local rights. He was detained after the protests, and both the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance demand his release, calling the charges against him baseless.
Inclusion in the Sixth Schedule would provide Ladakh with greater legislative and administrative autonomy, protecting land, culture, and resources of local communities—similar to provisions for certain northeastern states in India.