Deadlock on Statehood, 6th Schedule: LAB
Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Mar 6: Leh district in the Union Territory of Ladakh today observed a complete shutdown followed by a rally and fast launched by educationist and social reformer Sonam Wangchuk after talks between twin bodies of the UT and Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) didn’t make any headway.
All shops and business establishments remained closed in response to call given by religious organizations yesterday for bandh to protest denial of Sixth Schedule and concede other demands raised by Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) by the Home Ministry.
People marched in the streets followed by a rally demanding Statehood, Sixth Schedule and dedicated PSC for Ladakh.
The LAB and KDA leaders have already announced that they will consult the people of Ladakh on their future course of action.
Sonam Wangchuk and LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjey Lakruk addressed the gathering at NDS Stadium after which Wangchuk started his indefinite fast.
Addressing the gathering, Wangchuk said that the Union Government still has the chance to fulfill its promises made to the people of Ladakh.
He said that the fast will be indefinite, and will see rotation after every 21 days, till the demands of Ladakh are met.
Lakruk said that the deadlock in the ongoing talks with the MHA prevailed on the demands of Statehood and 6th Schedule.
“The MHA wanted to implement some parts of the 6th Schedule indirectly, while we insisted on its direct implementation besides the restoration of Statehood,” he said.
Hours after the two regional groups of Ladakh said on Monday that the joint sub-committee consisting of its leaders, LG Ladakh Advisor and MHA officials failed to make any headway after two back-to-back meetings with Central Government functionaries, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured the LAB and the KDA leaders who had called on him, that the Government-appointed High Powered Committee formed to look into their Statehood and other demands has been discussing the modalities to provide such Constitutional safeguards.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
