SRINAGAR: In a significant development, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) convened a joint meeting on Sunday, expressing optimism that the Central Government will soon resume dialogue on their longstanding four-point agenda. The agenda prominently includes the demand for statehood for Ladakh and the region’s inclusion in the 6th Schedule of the Constitution, aimed at protecting the cultural and economic rights of the indigenous people.
Leaders representing the two districts of the legislature-less Union Territory stated that their Core Committee will reconvene to strategise further if the government does not respond positively. The LAB and KDA, which consist of various political, social, and religious organisations, have been jointly leading this movement for the past four years following the reading down of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
“We had a comprehensive three-hour meeting today to discuss the way forward regarding our four-point agenda, which remains our primary focus in any future talks with the Central Government,” said LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjey Lakruk during a press briefing.
Dorjey, alongside leaders from both bodies, including Member of Parliament Haji Hanifa Jan, who recently won the Ladakh seat from the BJP, asserted that they are not concerned with the Centre’s plans to bolster the two Hill Councils or create new districts. “We reiterate our four-point demand as the only viable path forward. We expect the Central Government to promptly resume the stalled dialogue with Ladakh’s representatives,” he asserted.
The other key demands include the swift initiation of the recruitment process and the establishment of a Public Service Commission for Ladakh, as well as the allocation of separate Lok Sabha seats for the Leh and Kargil districts.
Dorjey also mentioned that the Core Committee of the LAB and KDA would meet again to decide the future course of action if the government fails to engage in dialogue. “Should the government continue to ignore our demands, we will not hesitate to launch a sustained agitation to further our movement in support of Ladakh’s future,” he warned.
KDA leader Naseer Munshi echoed these sentiments, referring to the abrupt end of talks with the Centre in March. “We have been patiently waiting for the government to restart the dialogue, but no initiative has been taken from their side,” Munshi noted. “We are peace-loving and believe in resolving our issues through dialogue. However, if the government remains unresponsive, we will have no choice but to resort to agitation.”
MP Hanifa Jan, who has been actively advocating for Ladakh’s demands within and outside Parliament, reiterated his commitment to the cause. “I have already raised these issues with various ministers and fellow parliamentarians, and I will continue to do so until our demands are met,” Jan stated.