Leh: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) for a new, detailed draft of their demands ahead of the next round of talks in New Delhi.
LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakruk said the group met in Leh on Saturday to discuss the draft, which will incorporate input from the KDA and represent a unified position.
“The LAB is preparing the draft. After finalizing its points, it will consult the KDA. Both organizations will then jointly finalize the document by consensus,” Lakruk stated.
Once completed, the joint draft will outline the core demands raised since Ladakh became a Union Territory in August 2019, including statehood, Sixth Schedule protections, a dedicated Public Service Commission, and enhanced local governance representation.
The MHA’s move to seek a detailed draft comes amid renewed tensions in Ladakh following the September 24 violence in Leh, when a protest march by statehood supporters turned violent, leaving four dead and dozens injured and deepening mistrust between local groups and the administration.
The incident highlighted the growing frustration among residents who feel that Ladakh’s political and ecological concerns remain unaddressed more than six years after its separation from Jammu and Kashmir.
Leaders from both Leh and Kargil have repeatedly stressed that without constitutional and legislative safeguards, Ladakh’s unique identity, fragile environment, and employment rights are at risk. The joint platform of LAB and KDA was formed to push for a united front on these issues, despite historical and religious differences between the two districts.
The upcoming round of talks, likely to be held later this month in New Delhi, is expected to test whether the Centre is willing to concede ground on key issues or propose a middle path—such as limited autonomy or a tailored set of protections outside the Sixth Schedule framework.
As Ladakh’s statehood movement regains momentum following the September violence, the fresh draft sought by the MHA could determine whether the ongoing dialogue translates into meaningful constitutional guarantees—or remains yet another round of talks without tangible outcomes.
Pertinent to mention here that, the talks between the Centre, LAB and KDA had broken down after September 24 violence which took place during strike called by youth wing of the LAB seeking preponement of talks with the MHA which were scheduled for October 6. Four civilians were killed and nearly hundred were injured in the violence.
Both the Ladakh organizations (LAB and KDA) stayed away from the dialogue slated for October 6. On October 17, the MHA announced a judicial inquiry headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge into the violent clashes of September 24 in Leh.
After the MHA ordered judicial inquiry into Leh violence, the talks between MHA and LAB-KDA resumed after five months on October 22.
However, the talks were confined to discussions but the LAB and KDA representatives described the meeting as very useful saying the MHA officers appeared to be very serious on their demands.
