Another meeting soon, legal experts to join
*Representatives suggest political involvement
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 24: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today held first meeting of the Sub Committee in New Delhi on the issues of Union Territory of Ladakh, the outcome of which was described as “positive” by representatives of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) while next round of dialogue is expected in next few days. The LAB and KDA have suspended their agitation till next meeting.
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Today’s meeting at North Block lasted two hours.
Insiders told the Excelsior that three core issues of LAB and KDA including Statehood, Sixth Schedule status and constitution of Public Services Commission (PSC) for Ladakh were discussed in the meeting that was chaired by Pawan Kotwal, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor in Ladakh.
The Sub Committee comprised Thupstan Chhewang, Chhering Dorje alias Lakrook and Nawang Rigzin Jora, all from Leh Apex Body (LAB), Qamar Ali Akhoon, Asgar Ali Karbalai and Sajjad Hussain alias Sajjad Kargili from Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
MHA’s Joint Secretary (JKL) and Director/Deputy Director (Ladakh) as Member Secretary and many other officials dealing with Ladakh, were present at the meeting.
While no official statement was issued after the talks, LAB chairman Thupstan Chhewang told reporters in New Delhi that the meeting was held in cordial atmosphere and the MHA response on their demands was positive.
He said the next meeting is expected to be held within the next few days.
LAB leader Chhering Dorje Lakrook told the Excelsior on telephone that date for next meeting will be conveyed to them by the MHA tonight or tomorrow and they will stay put in New Delhi till then.
“The MHA wanted next meeting to be held in Ladakh but LAB and KDA leaders insisted that it should be held in New Delhi itself as they are here. The Ministry officials agreed,” the insiders said, adding the meeting could take place within the next few days.
The LAB and KDA leaders insisted on involvement of political leaders i.e. the Union Ministers in the meeting also. The High Powered Committee (HPC) on Ladakh was headed by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai. However, he is not a member of the Sub Committee.
The Ladakh leaders are of the view that presence of a Minister in the meeting will give further credibility to the Sub Committee and help in taking an earlier decision.
Soon after the meeting, the LAB and KDA leaders who had announced to launch agitation in support of their demands in case of a deadlock in the Sub Committee, announced that they have deferred the stir till next meeting.
“Significance of the meeting can be well gauged from the fact that both sides have agreed to come with legal in the next meeting. The LAB and KDA will have their own legal experts while the MHA side will have their own,” the sources said, adding the legal help was aimed at suggesting ways and means on implementation of some provisions of Sixth Schedule status which could benefit the Union Territory of Ladakh in real terms.
As per the sources, the discussions were very fruitful in setting up of Public Services Commission (PSC) for Ladakh and the Central Government is not averse to the idea. In fact, a decision on this demand is expected to be taken in the next meeting.
This was third meeting of the MHA with LAB and KDA representatives in less than three months. Two meetings of the High Powered Committee (HPC) headed by Nityanand Rai were held in New Delhi on December 4 and January 19. Sources said next meeting of the Sub Committee can take place within next four-five days.
Earlier, the LAB and KDA had presented four-point agenda before the MHA including Statehood, Sixth Schedule, dedicated PSC and two Parliamentary seats for Ladakh. Presently, the LAB and KDA are not insisting on their fourth demand for two seats for Ladakh as they know it can’t be met before 2026 due to freeze on Parliamentary seats.
The BJP, which won lone Lok Sabha seat of Ladakh for two consecutive terms in 2014 and 2019 and is also in power in Leh Hill Development Council for second term, is not part of LAB and KDA but has been taking up the issues of Ladakh on its own with the Central Government as well as UT administration.
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