The Leh Apex Body (LAB) chairman Thupstan Chhewang, along with other members of the LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), returned to Leh on June 21, following talks with Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai. Chhewang stated that the ball is now in the Home Ministry’s court, and it appears that they too are in urgency to hold talks. They met with education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a week-long fast in support of LAB and KDA’s demands, to provide a brief on the talks.
Chhewang explained that they conveyed their four-point agenda to the Home Ministry, which includes statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil, and employment opportunities for youth, including the constitution of the Public Service Commission. Chhewang emphasized that LAB and KDA members in the High Powered Committee should be decided in consultations with them.
Sonam Wangchuk stated that the delegation went to New Delhi with high hopes, which fell slightly short, saddening the people of Ladakh. He expressed confidence that Ladakh will receive good news soon, and the people will thank the Centre.
On June 19, the Union Minister of State held talks in New Delhi with six members from LAB and KDA, three of each body. The dialogue had been stalled for 22 months on various pretexts. LAB and KDA leaders briefed the Union MoS Home on their issues at the meeting. However, leaders of the two bodies stated that further talks will only be held if their four-point agenda is included in the HPC. They also want the composition of the delegations, especially LAB and KDA representatives, to be finalized after consulting with them.
