Ahead of a crucial meeting on September 9, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) has warned it will intensify its agitation if the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) fails to make significant progress on their key demands. The ongoing discussions aim to secure constitutional and political safeguards for Ladakh, which gained Union Territory status in August 2019.
The LAB, in collaboration with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), has led protests advocating for legislative measures at the Union Territory level. They seek constitutional protections under Article 371, the withdrawal of cases related to last year’s violent protests, compensation for victims, and the publication of the inquiry commission’s findings from September 24 violence that claimed four lives.
LAB chairman Chering Dorje Lakruk expressed cautious optimism about the talks but emphasized that the organization would assess their success based on tangible results. “If the meeting produces a positive outcome and there is constructive and result-oriented dialogue, we will welcome it. Otherwise, we will intensify our agitation very strongly,” Lakruk stated.
He voiced frustration over the government’s delay in releasing the inquiry commission’s report and called out the selective withdrawal of legal cases from the September protests. Out of approximately 80 cases, only 25 have been dismissed thus far. “Everyone should be treated equally. The lives of the people of Ladakh are not cheap,” he asserted while reiterating calls for compensation for the families affected during the unrest.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk announced that the LAB had declared September as “Martyrs’ Month” to honor those who were killed, injured, or imprisoned last year. Various activities are scheduled for this month; however, a planned padyatra from Kargil to Leh, initially set to begin on September 10, has been postponed due to the upcoming MHA talks.
Wangchuk noted, “We have collectively decided to postpone the padyatra for the time being,” indicating that if the September 9 talks yield unsatisfactory results, they might revive the march close to the anniversary of the violence on September 24.
As part of their demands, the LAB expects a detailed draft regarding the proposed Ladakh Assembly to be presented in the meeting. This draft should clarify the assembly’s powers and rights. “If there is progress on these issues, we will consider the talks successful,” Wangchuk added.
He described the circumstances surrounding the September 24 violence as “not normal” and hinted at the possibility of the LAB disclosing further details about the incident if required. Wangchuk concluded, “If Ladakh is not treated equally, and if it continues to receive stepmotherly treatment, we will be compelled to initiate a large-scale agitation after September 9.”
