The Center said on Monday that it is always ready to interact with Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on Ladakh matters. This expressed confidence that continuous conversation would reveal the desired results in the near future.
Lab’s terms and distance from talks
The Lab had earlier announced that until the normal situation in Ladakh is restored and a favorable environment is not created, it would remain away from the interaction with the Center. The Lab had said that he would reconsider returning to the table of talks, ‘If (on October 6) the correct steps are taken before the next round of talks’.
Major demands of lab
The Judicial inquiry into the deaths in the violence on September 24 from the Lab government is also demanding to be released from the retired judge of the Supreme Court and the release of all those detained including climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. The Ministry of Home Affairs said that the Central Government will welcome the discussion with Lab and KDA through the High Placed Committee (HPC) or any such platform on Ladakh.
Government is ready for talks at any time
The statement said that the government has always been ready for ‘any time’ conversation with Leh Apex body and Kargil Democratic Alliance on Ladakh matters. According to the statement, the dialogue system established with the Lab and KDA through the High Placed Committee (HPC) on Ladakh has so far brought good results, such as- an increase in reservation for Scheduled Tribes of Ladakh, providing reservation for women in Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) and providing protection to local languages.
Government steps and recruitment process
The ministry said, ‘The process of recruitment to 1800 government posts in Ladakh Union Territory has already started. We are confident that the desired results will come in the near future of continuous conversation. There were widespread violent protests on 24 September during the state status and the bandh called by ‘Leh Apex Body’ (LAB) to pursue negotiations with the Center on demand to include Ladakh in the sixth schedule.
Movement and violent clashes
Four people were killed and several others were injured in clashes between protesters and security personnel, while more than 50 people were detained on charges of alleged involvement in the riots. The main face of the movement, activist Wangchuk was also detained under strict National Security Act (Rasuka). According to government sources, talks were proposed on July 20, but no response was received. Lab and KDA are leading the movement demanding state status to the Union Territory and expansion of the sixth schedule.