After Wednesday’s violent protests that left four people dead and many others injured in Leh, both the Centre and Ladakh leaders have indicated their readiness for talks on the pending demands of Ladakh to restore peace in the strategic border region.
This was stated by senior Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) leader Thupstan Chhewang in Leh today after visiting the hospital to meet those injured in Wednesday’s clashes.
The LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) represent the political and religious bodies of Leh and Kargil. Its delegates have held talks with the High-Powered Committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs, led by Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai, regarding Ladakh’s demands since 2023, after the region was separated from Jammu and Kashmir and granted Union territory status.
Apart from protection of land, jobs, and culture, the key demands of LAB and KDA are statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. Significant headway has been made on most demands except statehood and the Sixth Schedule.
The Centre has expressed willingness to extend those provisions of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh that apply to it, but has rejected the demand for statehood. The last round of talks between LAB and KDA delegates was held on May 27. The delay in further talks raised anxiety and huge anger in Ladakh, especially among the youth.
Speaking to reporters after his hospital visit, Chhewang said the situation was tense but calm. He called for restraint and dialogue with the Centre. He said a meeting of LAB and KDA representatives with officials in Delhi had been scheduled for Thursday, but was delayed after the violence.
“We have signalled that six of our representatives are ready to attend a meeting urgently,” he said. “If it is held quickly, it will help restore normalcy.”
Chhewang also hinted that the last rites of those killed may be postponed until internal consultations are complete. “Because of yesterday’s events and the four deaths, we will confer within the Apex Body before finalising funeral arrangements,” he said.
He said four of the injured were in serious condition, while one has been shifted to AIIMS, Delhi. He said those with minor or moderate injuries had already undergone treatment and praised the hospital staff for preventing further casualties through swift action.
Chhewang, who met hospital officials alongside other LAB members, said the LAB had come to “pay respects to the martyrs and check on the condition of the injured.” He criticised what he called “unnecessary harassment” of people visiting the injured in hospital.
The former two-time Member of Parliament appealed to people, especially the youth, to stay calm. He said some shortcomings on the part of the leadership might have contributed to yesterday’s incident.
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Shops in Leh remained closed for a second day on Thursday, with Section 144 restrictions continuing in both Leh and Kargil districts to prevent gatherings of more than five people.
Streets in Leh wore a deserted look, with heavy deployment of police and CRPF personnel. In Kargil too, a complete shutdown was observed, with the KDA demanding a probe into the killings when police opened fire during the protest.
KDA leaders Asgar Karbalai, Sajad Kargili, and MP from Ladakh, Haneefa Jan, held a press conference expressing solidarity with the families of the deceased. “They are our heroes and they will live forever,” said Karbalai. “They have died for the cause of Ladakh.”