Key Talks on Ladakh Statehood Underway at Kartavya Bhawan

New Delhi — A critical meeting between representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) with senior officials of the Union Home Ministry is underway in Delhi on Wednesday to discuss key issues concerning Ladakh, including the demand for statehood, Sixth Schedule inclusion, and the release of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and other detained figures.

The meeting, held at Kartavya Bhawan 3, marks the first formal dialogue between Ladakh leadership and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) following the recent violence in Leh that left four civilians dead and nearly 100 others injured.

Representing the Leh Apex Body are Thupstan Chhewang, Chhering Dorjay, and Ashraf, while the Kargil Democratic Alliance is represented by Asghar Ali Karbalai, Qamar Ali Akhun, and Sajjad Kargili. Ladakh MP Haji Hanifa Jan is also participating as a public representative for both organisations.

Sources said the meeting will also deliberate on compensation for families affected during the clashes.

The discussions follow the Centre’s decision to order a judicial probe led by a former Supreme Court judge into the September 24 violence. Earlier, on October 6, both LAB and KDA had refused to meet central officials, citing unaddressed demands.

The MHA’s eight-member subcommittee includes LAB chairman Thupstan Chhewang, Chhering Dorjay Lakrook, Ashraf Barch, and lawyer Haji Mustafa from Leh, while KDA’s representation includes Asgar Ali Karbalai, Sajjad Kargili, Qamar Ali Akhoon, and Kargil MP Haji Hanifa.

The September 24 unrest coincided with the 15th day of Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. Protests escalated into clashes with security forces, vandalism of public buildings, and attacks on a BJP office and police vehicle. The Centre later invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against Wangchuk and transferred him to Jodhpur jail, blaming him for inciting the violence.

With inputs from IANS