New Delhi, Feb 3: The two prominent groups from Ladakh–Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)–are likely to press for constitutional safeguards and greater political autonomy for the Union territory during the meeting of the High Powered Committee (HPC) on Wednesday.
The Ladakh leaders who arrived here on Tuesday are holding informal meetings among themselves to finalise their strategy for the meeting, sources said.
The deliberations are likely to continue tomorrow afternoon before the meeting takes place, they said. The meeting will be chaired by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai.
It will be the first meeting of the HPC on the Union Territory of Ladakh since the September clashes last year, marking the resumption of suspended deliberations between the Centre and representatives from the UT.
Both bodies are likely to stick to their core demands, seeking constitutional safeguards, release of Wangchuk and greater political autonomy for the Union territory created in 2019 following the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir.
The LAB and KDA have been demanding full statehood with its own legislative assembly to ensure greater political representation and self-governance, to protect the unique culture, fragile ecosystem and land rights of the predominantly tribal population by granting autonomous district councils and two Lok Sabha seats, among others.
The talks were suspended following the violent clashes on September 24 between security forces and protesters demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh, leaving four civilians dead and 90 injured.
