Leh: Ending the months long logjam, the union government has started fresh negotiations with the leaders of the two bodies leading the demand for Ladakh’s inclusion into the sixth schedule of the constitution and granting of statehood to the union territory, besides other demands.
The significant development took place after Lieutenant Governor Brigadier B D Mishra met union Home secretary Ajay Bhalla in New Delhi and briefed him on the situation in Ladakh, besides the feedback he gathered from the individuals and organisations he has met in the union territory over the past few weeks.
“The Union Home Ministry has approached the representatives of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and have sought from them a fresh proposal on the ongoing demands and issues,” a source informed The Earth News.
The LAB and KDA, it may be mentioned, are amalgam of civil society from both the districts of Ladakh, and has strong support from political and religious groups, besides the business communities there.
Both the organisations joined hands to press for their four-point agenda of demands which included statehood for UT, special status under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, two parliamentary seats for the UT and employment opportunities for local youth, leading to protests across Ladakh, and Jammu and New Delhi over the last couple of years.
The two organisations were formed after the people of Ladakh expressed their disappointment for not getting the safeguards promised by New Delhi and concerns over their jobs, land and fragile climate, after Ladakh was separated from Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 in the year 2019.
Their agitation received a major shot in the arm when noted reformer and educationist Sonam Wangchuk held a five-day long climate fast at 18,380 feet high Khardung La pass to invite attention of the BJP-led Centre to address the demands of Ladakhis.
The Centre had, in January this year, constituted a high-powered committee headed by Minister of State Nityanand Rai to “ensure protection of land and employment” for the people of Ladakh. The panel included nine representatives of the LAB and the KDA, but the two bodies rejected it, saying their agenda and representatives were not included.
However, with this fresh development, things are looking bright for Ladakh. LAB member Cherring Dorjay Lakruk confirmed the development and said that the MHA has indeed sought a revised proposal from the two bodies to resume the dialogue.
The leaders from LAB and KDA are set to hold a meeting to decide on the future roadmap, in Leh, this week, The Earth News learnt.
It may be mentioned that LG Mishra had met a 30-member delegation of LBA, the most powerful religious organisation in Leh, besides Sonam Wangchuk last week.
