Is the Government Ready to Engage in Dialogue on Ladakh with Leh Apex Body and Kargil Alliance?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The MHA is committed to dialogue regarding Ladakh.
- Normalcy must be restored before meaningful discussions can occur.
- Demands for statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule are emphasized.
- Positive outcomes from previous dialogues have been noted.
- Recruitment for government positions in Ladakh is underway.
Leh, Sep 29 (NationPress) The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced on Monday that the Union government remains committed to engaging in discussions regarding Ladakh with both the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
This statement follows remarks from Leh Apex Body Chairman Thupstan Chhewang, who indicated to reporters that dialogue cannot proceed until normalcy is restored in the Ladakh region.
Chhewang urged the Union Home Ministry and the Ladakh administration to take immediate action to alleviate the prevailing atmosphere of fear, grief, and anger in the Union Territory, particularly after the tragic events of September 24, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals and left over 100 injured.
KDA representative Sajjad Kargili criticized the Ladakh administration, holding it accountable for civilian casualties and injuries sustained by both civilians and security personnel.
Kargili has called for the unconditional release of detained climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and other young individuals arrested in Leh.
He emphasized that both the Leh Apex Body and the KDA have non-negotiable demands for Ladakh's statehood and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule.
In light of the hardened positions taken by both the Leh Apex Body and the KDA, who have announced a suspension of talks with the Centre, the MHA reiterated that the Union government is dedicated to finding solutions through dialogue, which it views as the sole path to achieving lasting peace in Ladakh.
The MHA's statement asserted, "The government has consistently been open to discussions regarding Ladakh with the Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) at any time.
"We will continue to encourage discussions with ABL and KDA via the High Powered Committee on Ladakh or any suitable platform."
"The established dialogue mechanism with Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) through the High Powered Committee (HPC) on Ladakh has already produced positive outcomes, such as increased reservations for the Scheduled Tribes of Ladakh, the provision of women’s reservations in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils, and safeguarding local languages."
"Recruitment for 1,800 government positions has already commenced in Ladakh," the statement noted.
"We remain confident that ongoing dialogue will yield the desired results in the near future," the statement concluded.