Leh, Sept 29: Following the tragic deaths of four protesters in clashes with security forces on September 24, the Apex Body Leh (ABL) has taken a firm stand, declaring on Monday that it will not engage in discussions with the Home Ministry’s High-Powered Committee until peace and a conducive environment are restored in Ladakh.
LAB Chairman Thupstan Chhewang, a former two-time MP, hardening the stand announced the decision after the cremation of the fourth victim, a former army soldier, amid heavy security in curfew-bound Leh. The curfew, in place since Wednesday, was briefly relaxed for two hours at 4 PM with no reported incidents.
Chhewang urged the Home Ministry and UT administration to address the prevailing fear, grief, and anger in the region. The protests, sparked during a LAB-called shutdown, were part of demands for Ladakh’s statehood and Sixth Schedule protections.
“We have unanimously agreed that the situation that is prevailing in Ladakh, keeping that in view, as long as peace is not restored and a conducive atmosphere is not created, we will not participate in any talks,” Chhewang, said, adding, “We will urge the Home Ministry, UT administration, and the administration to take steps to address the atmosphere of fear, grief and anger that is there.”
Four people were killed and scores of others were injured in 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.
After nearly four months of stalled talks, the Centre had on September 20 extended an invitation to the LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which have been spearheading the agitation for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to the Union Territory. The talks were scheduled for October 6.
“After a long struggle of 70 years, the Centre granted Union Territory status to Ladakh without a legislature (in August 2019), but it was not as per our expectations and justice.
“We felt that the safeguards provided to us under Article 370 and Article 35A were eroded along with democracy, prompting us to launch a fresh agitation for our genuine rights,” Chhewang said.
He said the central government initially assured them on the safeguards, and a process of talks continued for five years on their four demands – extension of safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, statehood, separate cadr, job reservation and public service commission, and separate Lok Sabha seats.
“Our struggle was continuing in a peaceful manner, but what happened on September 24 was beyond one’s understanding… the CRPF acted like hooligans and used excessive force, killing and injuring our people and creating an atmosphere of fear, grief and anger among the people of Ladakh,” he alleged.
He said while they were peacefully holding protests, including a hunger strike, the administration used “excessive force” , despite the fact that the LAB was in touch with the central government and preparing for the talks, notwithstanding the differences over the dates.
