The Union Home Ministry has extended a fresh invitation to the representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) to hold parleys aimed at defusing the current deadlock.
Three representatives each of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), along with Ladakh MP Mohd Haneefa Jan, will take part in the talks with a focus on their primary demand of Statehood and safeguards for the Union Territory under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, LAB co-chairman Chering Dorje Lakruk told reporters on Sunday.
“We were informed by the Home Ministry that a meeting of the sub-committee is scheduled for October 22, and both LAB and KDA are invited to it. We welcome the decision of the Government of India to invite us and look forward to the positive outcome of the dialogue,” he said. Widespread violent protests occurred in Leh on September 24 during a shutdown called by LAB to advance talks with the Centre on the demands for Statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.
Four people were killed and scores of others were injured in the clashes between protesters and security personnel, while over 50 people were taken into custody for their alleged involvement in rioting.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, the main face of the agitation, was also detained under the stringent NSA, which empowers the Centre and States to detain individuals to prevent them from acting in a manner “prejudicial to the defence of India”.
