Kargil/Leh, Oct 17: As the Leh Apex Body (LAB) has called for a two-hour silent march and three-hour blackout across Ladakh on October 18, Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) has extended its support calling for broad participation from stakeholders across Kargil.
The silent march and blackout will be held across the union territory to express solidarity with the families of the four persons who lost their lives in widespread violence last month, besides those critically injured in the incident.
In this regard, a joint meeting of the KDS was held Friday. Alongside KDA members, the meeting was attended by the Acting CEC LAHDC Kargil, Kacho Mohammad Feroz, as well as representatives of the Kargil Bar Association, Kargil Merchant Association, Contractors Association, Transport Associations, and the Automobile Association etc.
Stakeholders unanimously expressed their solidarity with the KDA’s peaceful struggle for Full Statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Addressing the gathering, KDA Co-Chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai briefed participants about the prevailing situation in Leh.
He said that the attitude of the Government towards the people’s genuine concerns has been deeply inappropriate and insensitive. In response, the KDA has decided to organize a silent and peaceful protest march on Saturday, 18 October 2025.
The march will begin from Changrah Bazar, proceed through the main market, and till Zainabia chowk and then culminate at Lalchowk Kargil. Similar silent marches will also be held at all sub-division and block headquarters.
Later in the evening, the entire Ladakh region will observe a symbolic blackout, expressing solidarity with the victims of the Leh incident, while also sending a strong message to the nation that the Union Territory status has failed. It is now imperative to declare Ladakh as a full-fledged State with Sixth Schedule safeguards.
The meeting further resolved that any future talks with the Government must be contingent upon; Immediate release of Sonam Wangchuk and all other detainees unconditionally, withdrawal of all charges against detainees, and adequate compensation for those killed and injured during the recent incidents.
On Tuesday, LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) announced fresh protests in support of their demand for statehood and safeguards under the sixth schedule of the Constitution and reiterated their conditions, including restarting talks with New Delhi.
