Dialogue reset in Ladakh as Shah heads to Leh

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announced Saturday fresh talks between Ladakhi functionaries and Union home ministry on May 22, as home minister Amit Shah prepares for a two-day visit to Leh from April 30, his first since last year’s unrest over demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards.

Saxena said a sub-committee for political dialogue would meet stakeholders to “carry forward constructive democratic dialogue” and work towards an “enduring solution” for Ladakh’s aspirations.

Leh Apex Body (LAB) pressed Shah to directly engage with functionaries of the organisation and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), saying lower-level talks have yielded little progress. They sought confidence-building steps, including compensation for victims of police firing during demonstrations in Leh on Sept 24, 2025, and withdrawal of cases against those arrested.

“There is a need for trust-building and meaningful dialogue. Revoking one NSA case alone is not enough,” said activist Sonam Wangchuk, referring to his detention under the law, later revoked on March 14. He called for talks chaired at ministerial level.

LAB co-chair Tsering Dorje Lakrook described the proposed May 22 meeting as “meaningless”, saying decisions cannot emerge at sub-committee level. “Our demands are clear — statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Time has come for govt to spell out what it is willing to offer,” he said.

LAB member Ashraf Ali Barcha recalled that initial talks in 2021 were chaired by Shah himself and led to formation of a high-powered committee. “Now we are being told discussions will be at sub-committee level. It is no longer necessary… time has come for a decision,” he said.

Dialogue between Ladakhi groups and Centre has continued since 2023 over demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards under Sixth Schedule. Talks on May 27 last year led to an agreement on a domicile policy but later stalled following political tensions.

On Sept 24, at least four people were killed and over 80 wounded after security forces opened fire on protesters in Leh. Wangchuk was taken into custody days later, prompting LAB and KDA to withdraw from talks.

Ladakh, carved out of J&K after abrogation of Article 370 on Aug 5, 2019, remains without a legislative assembly, fuelling demands for full statehood and Sixth Schedule protections to safeguard land, culture and autonomy.