Ladakh representatives back in talks with government after 5 months

NEW DELHI: Representatives from Ladakh on Wednesday resumed dialogue with the Centre after a five-month hiatus, reiterating their general demands like statehood, Sixth Schedule status, and constitutional safeguards for their land, culture and language besides seeking the release of detainees of Sept 24 violence , including activist Sonam Wangchuk , reports Bharti Jain.

Sources in the Centre said the standing committee on Ladakh has been requested by MHA officials to come back with a draft laying down specifics of their demands, particularly the proposed constitutional framework for their implementation.

Outfits demand a Ladakhi officer for judicial panel probing Sept 24 unrest

The standing committee comprises three representatives each of Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, as well as Ladakh MP Mohd Haneefa Jan.

For instance, an official told TOI, the draft may need to specify the fate of panchayats and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council where Ladakh to be included in Sixth Schedule and how statehood shall align with Sixth Schedule status, which now covers only parts of northeastern states. Also, they were asked to pinpoint their specific requirements for protecting Ladakh’s land, culture and language, including under Article 371.

“Today’s deliberations were positive in that the Ladakhi outfits agreed to return to the table after five months. All issues were discussed cordially, signalling a restoration of trust following the events of Sept 24. Though Wednesday’s deliberations stuck to generalities, the Ladakhi representatives agreed to return with a proposal laying down the specifics, at the next meeting,” a govt official told TOI. No time-limit has been set in this regard.

Sources said withdrawal of NSA against Sonam Wangchuk and cases against those detained after Sept 24 violence was brought up by LAB and KDA. However, NSA already requires Wangchuk’s detention to be reviewed by an advisory board. As regards other detainees, the probe is on. The outfits demanded a Ladakhi officer for the panel probing the Sept 24 unrest, but were assured that the probe would be impartial under a retired SC judge.

Ladakh MP Jan said talks were held Wednesday in a positive atmosphere, with both sides showing willingness to stay engaged. “There was mutual understanding on the need to safeguard Ladakh’s identity and ensure justice and fair representation for its people,” he said.

Kargil Democratic Alliance member Sajjad Hussain Kargili said: “Our demand for the past six years has been democracy in Ladakh. A great solution for this is statehood...We discussed the implementation of reservation policy in Ladakh and talked about the release of detainees of Sept 24 incidents, which includes Wangchuk”.