Youth wings appeal people to pray
Tsewang Rigzin
LEH, Nov 30: Leaders from Leh and Kargil today left for New Delhi for an important round of discussions with the Ministry of Home Affairs scheduled for December 3. Ahead of the talks, an important meeting of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) is set to take place in the capital tomorrow.
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Youth wings of Leh Apex Body and religious organisations of Leh today appealed to the people of Ladakh to pray in their respective religious places for the success of the talks with the MHA on December 3.
The LAB and KDA have been pressing the Government of India to resume talks with Ladakh’s leaders on a four-point agenda which includes the demand for Statehood, implementation of the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh, establishment of Public Service Commission and creation of an additional Lok Sabha seat since there is one MP from the UT at present. These demands have been at the forefront of religious and political organisations after Ladakh became a Union Territory to safeguard Ladakh’s distinct identity, jobs for local youth, and the fragile ecology from being exploited by gaint corporates.
In an effort to bring attention to their cause, environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk led a month-long padyatra from Leh and Delhi in September. This was followed by a hunger strike at the Ladakh Bhavan in New Delhi in October, aimed at compelling the Union Government to restart dialogues. Wangchuk, along with numerous supporters, camped out in the capital, drawing attention to the urgent need for the Government to engage with the people of Ladakh.
While the hunger strike was going on, the LAB expressed concern over the deteriorating health of the hunger strikers in New Delhi, warning that the Government would be held accountable for any adverse consequences resulting from the strike. The Apex Body appealed to the Government to take swift action and resume discussions before the situation worsened.
On October 20th, Prashant Lokhande, the Joint Secretary of the Home Ministry, in charge of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, met with Sonam Wangchuk and the leaders of the Apex Body and KDA. During this meeting, he handed over a letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs, which confirmed that a high-powered committee would meet on December 3 to initiate talks with Ladakh’s representatives.
Following this assurance, Wangchuk and the other hunger strikers ended their protest, marking a significant moment of hope for the people of Ladakh. Since then, there has been heightened anticipation across the region, with many eagerly awaiting the resumption of talks in the coming days.
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