New Delhi: The Leh Apex Body (LAB) has taken a firm stance ahead of crucial sub-committee talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi on September 9. The organization warned that if the central government does not show concrete and positive progress on Ladakh’s core constitutional and administrative demands, it will intensify its mass movement.
The Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have been jointly leading the agitation since Ladakh was made a Union Territory without a legislature in August 2019. Their main demands are the following:
- Constitutional safeguards : Full statehood for Ladakh or special constitutional safeguards and law-making powers under Article 371.
- Investigation of violence and withdrawal of cases : Demand to make public the investigation report of the violence that took place on September 24 last year, to give compensation to the victims and to withdraw the registered cases.
Leh Apex Body Chairman Chering Dorje Lakrook said that while they welcome the dialogue with the Home Ministry, their assessment will be based on the positive outcome of the meeting. He expressed disappointment over the delay in the inquiry commission’s report and accused the central government of adopting double standards in withdrawing cases. According to Lakrook, only 25 of the 80 cases related to the September 24 incident have been withdrawn so far.
Renowned social activist Sonam Wangchuk said that the organization is observing the month of September as ‘Martyr’s Month’ in memory of those killed and injured last year:
- Padyatra postponed : The padyatra proposed from Kargil to Leh from September 10 has been postponed for the time being in view of the official talks on September 9.
- Future strategy : If the talks on September 9 fail, the march will be resumed five days before September 24.
- Draft expected : The organisation hopes that the Central Government will present a detailed draft regarding the proposed legislative powers and rights for Ladakh in the meeting on September 9.
