New Delhi, Leh: The Centre on Monday said it is always open to talks on Ladakh matters with the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) at any time and expressed confidence that continuous dialogue would yield the desired results in the near future.
The statement by the Union Home Ministry came after the LAB announced that it will stay away from talks with the Centre till normalcy is restored and a conducive atmosphere is created in Ladakh. The outfit said it would rethink about returning to the table, “if the right steps are taken before the scheduled next round of talks (on October 6)”.
It demanded that the government order a judicial probe by a retired Supreme Court judge into the September 24 killings and release all those taken into custody, including climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
The Home Ministry said the central government would continue to welcome the discussion with LAB and KDA through the High Powered Committee (HPC) on Ladakh or any such platform.
The Government has always been open for dialogues on Ladakh matters with the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance “at any time”, the statement said.
The dialogue mechanism established with LAB and KDA through the High Powered Committee (HPC) on Ladakh has yielded good results till date in the form of increased reservations to the Scheduled Tribes of Ladakh, providing women’s reservation in Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) and protection to local languages.
“The process of recruitment for 1800 posts in government has already commenced in the UT of Ladakh. We are confident that continuous dialogue would yield the desired results in the near future,” the statement said.
Widespread violent protests occurred in Leh on September 24 during a shutdown called by LAB to advance talks with the Centre on the demands for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.
Four people were killed and scores of others were injured in the clashes between protesters and security personnel, while over 50 people were taken into custody for their alleged involvement in rioting. Activist Sonam Wangchuk, the main face of the agitation, was also detained under the stringent NSA.
According to the government, talks were offered on July 20 for which it did not get a response. The LAB and KDA have been spearheading the agitation for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to the Union Territory.
Meanwhile, lauding the people of Ladakh for showing remarkable restraint and commitment to people in challenging circumstances, Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta on Monday promised to address their every legitimate issue through dialogue and democratic means.
While acknowledging the role of security forces, police, and local administration for their coordinated efforts in ensuring normalcy, Gupta urged officials to remain vigilant, responsive, and people-friendly in their approach.
He appealed to the people to maintain peace and said “it is the cornerstone of development”.
“I urge all sections of society to maintain unity and harmony and not fall prey to the designs of anti-social and anti-national elements. The administration stands firmly with the people and will ensure their safety, dignity, and progress,” Gupta said.
He was addressing a high-level review meeting on the prevailing law and order situation in the Union Territory, expressing appreciation for the responsible conduct of the people, who have largely cooperated with the administration in maintaining calm and discipline during the sensitive period.
“The people of Ladakh have shown remarkable maturity, restraint, and commitment to peace even in challenging circumstances. Their patience and cooperation reflect the true spirit of harmony that defines our region,” the LG said.
Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal, Director General of Police S D Singh Jamwal, Additional Director General, CRPF, Rajesh Kumar and senior officers of the Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) attended the meeting.
The officers briefed the Lt Governor on the latest developments, preparedness measures, and coordination among agencies to maintain peace and order in the Union Territory, a Raj Bhavan spokesperson said.
The Lt Governor took a detailed assessment of the ground situation in view of the recent developments and the relaxation of restrictions in certain areas.
He emphasised that law and order must be enforced firmly yet sensitively, keeping in mind the welfare and sentiments of the local population.
The Lt Governor also issued clear directions for enhanced intelligence gathering, regular community engagement, and swift redressal of public grievances to strengthen trust between the administration and the citizens.
He called upon youth to channel their energies towards constructive nation-building and assured that every legitimate concern of the people will be addressed through dialogue and democratic means.
Reiterating his government’s commitment to safeguarding Ladakh’s unique culture and aspirations, the Lt Governor affirmed that sustained peace and stability will pave the way for accelerated growth and opportunities in the region.
KDA demands unconditional release of Wangchuk, says Centre ‘alienating’ people of Ladakh
The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on Monday demanded the immediate and unconditional release of activist Sonam Wangchuk and others detained after September 24 violence in Leh, warning the Centre that its failure to meet Ladakh statehood and other core demands is “alienating” the people in the Himalayan region.
The KDA, which along with the Leh Apex Body is spearheading the agitation for statehood to Ladakh and other constitutional protections, held the Union Territory administration directly responsible for the violence in Leh that left four people dead and dozens of others, including security personnel, injured.
Addressing a press conference here, KDA member Sajjad Kargili called for the unconditional release of Wangchuk, who was taken in custody under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) and lodged in a Jodhpur jail, and other youth leaders detained in Leh.
He stressed that the demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule are “not negotiable.”
“At a time when the nation is facing multiple challenges, such treatment of people of Ladakh, a sensitive region, will increase the sense of alienation and insecurity among the people,” Kargili said, adding the government should “use wisdom and deal with people sensibly”.
“The way bullets were fired, and many were injured, there should be some accountability… This is a big example of why we need democracy,” Kargili said.
He questioned the government’s stance, remarking, “What was wrong in Ladakh demanding democracy when Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks about democracy being in the ‘DNA’ of Indians?”
Kargili asserted that the UT administration’s handling of the situation was a failure, as he particularly pointed out the “lack of preparedness and the decision to open fire”.
“The CRPF has failed us. Twenty of our soldiers were martyred on the China border, but the government did not give permission to open fire on the Chinese army. What kind of government is this, which has given the order to open fire on the protesters?” he said.
The KDA leader demanded an impartial judicial probe into the violence and accountability from the administration, especially given that it had claimed to have prior intelligence of potential unrest.
“When you have information… Why didn’t you take preventive measures? Why did you have to fire?” he asked, comparing the response to the 2019 abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir, where a complete shutdown was enforced.
“Those who were protesting at the site of the fast were peaceful until the last. This happened outside. We are demanding an impartial judicial probe,” he said.
Kargili acknowledged that Wangchuk’s arrest has amplified the region’s issues nationally. “Very few people knew about the struggles of Ladakh, but after the arrest of Sonam Wangchuk, this issue and the demands of Ladakh have reached every home in the country,” he said.
He predicted a surge in nationwide protests, noting, “Earlier, the protest was only in Ladakh; now you will see protests in different parts of the country.”
He reiterated that dialogue had only occurred following protests, noting that the date for an upcoming meeting with Union Government representatives, likely to take place on Tuesday, was set only after Wangchuk’s recent fast began.
“A sense of alienation, betrayal, is increasing among the people of Ladakh,” Kargili said, adding, “The people of Ladakh are the strength of this country. They should not be pushed to the wall.”
He affirmed that the long-standing demands remain non-negotiable, saying, “The idea of Union Territory has failed badly in addressing the aspirations of the people.”
Kargili claimed that authorities are using festivals to distract the people of Ladakh and keep them out of policy discussions. He said the Ladakhis are demanding the protection of their tribal identity and the actual delivery of democracy.
