The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has requested a fresh, detailed draft of demands from the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) ahead of crucial negotiations with Ladakh leaders, signaling renewed efforts to resolve the ongoing impasse. This comes after sub-committee level talks resumed following the violent September 24 protests in Leh, where four people were killed and over 80 injured in police firing, leading to a breakdown in dialogue. Senior KDA leader Sajjad Kargili confirmed the move, stating the groups will consult stakeholders to compile a comprehensive document outlining their core aspirations for greater autonomy and protections.
Kargili emphasized that the draft will delve deeply into primary demands, including full statehood with a dedicated legislature and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule to protect land and job rights for locals. "We will discuss the kind of legislature we envision, the Assembly's role, and the Governor's powers," he explained, highlighting the need for constitutional safeguards post the 2019 bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir. LAB leaders are preparing a parallel draft, after which both sides will align on a joint version to present a unified front to the Centre.
No strict deadline was imposed by MHA, but Kargili expressed hope for submission within the week, potentially paving the way for a High Powered Committee (HPC) meeting chaired by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai. The HPC has been the primary forum for dialogue since earlier rounds in May and October yielded partial progress, such as increased tribal reservations and women's quotas in local hill councils. However, core issues like statehood and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil remain unresolved, fueling persistent agitation.
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The September violence, sparked by demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule status, prompted MHA's announcement of a judicial inquiry, which helped restart talks at the sub-committee level. Figures like climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, detained under the National Security Act, and other protesters have become symbols of the movement, with calls for their release tied to broader negotiations. KDA and LAB view this fresh draft as a critical opportunity to refocus on non-negotiable protections amid fears of demographic changes and job losses.
As Ladakh's hill councils and civil society groups rally behind the effort, the upcoming HPC meeting could mark a turning point or deepen frustrations if unmet. With symbolic protests like blackouts underscoring urgency, the joint draft represents a strategic push for empowerment in the strategically vital region bordering China and Pakistan. Success here could stabilize governance; failure risks escalating unrest in the cold desert union territory.
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