Examiner Bureau | Leh:
The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have finalised a set of “non-negotiable” demands ahead of their proposed dialogue with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in September, asserting that any future political arrangement for Ladakh must address the region’s constitutional, legislative, financial and administrative concerns.
The two organisations submitted a joint memorandum to Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra on Wednesday following discussions in Leh. The leaders said they had been informed that a formal meeting with the Union Home Ministry is expected to be held in New Delhi during the first week of September.
LAB chairman Chering Dorjay and KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai said the memorandum focuses primarily on establishing an appropriate legislative and executive framework for Ladakh, strengthening financial powers and providing safeguards for the interests and rights of the people of the Union Territory.
The leaders also insisted that commitments recorded during the previous round of discussions with the Centre in May should continue to form the basis for the next phase of dialogue.
Karbalai said the Chief Secretary had assured the delegation that the demands contained in the memorandum, along with the proposed interim measures, would be conveyed to the Ministry of Home Affairs. A Joint Secretary from the ministry was also present during Wednesday’s discussions.
The exact format of the proposed September meeting, however, has not yet been finalised. According to the LAB and KDA leaders, the MHA will decide whether the talks will be conducted through the Sub-Committee or the High-Powered Committee.
The two organisations have simultaneously renewed their demand for compensation for families affected by the violence in Leh on September 24 last year. They called for what they described as “dignified and respectable compensation” for those who were killed or injured during the protests.
The LAB and KDA have also demanded the withdrawal of cases registered against more than 80 people in connection with the agitation.
Describing September 24 as a “black day” in Ladakh’s history, Karbalai said the events of that day would remain a major issue in the organisations’ engagement with the authorities.
The groups also said they would carefully examine any draft proposal presented by the Centre before taking a position on it. Karbalai said legal and constitutional experts would be consulted to assess the proposal and warned that continued delays in addressing Ladakh’s concerns could lead to wider public mobilisation.
On the composition of the dialogue mechanism, Dorjay said the LAB and KDA would not object to people outside the officially notified panel being present as observers. However, he made it clear that such observers should neither participate in the negotiations nor present the government’s position during the discussions.
Meanwhile, the two organisations said their Martyrs’ Month programmes would continue, with weekly events planned ahead of a special observance on September 24 to commemorate those who lost their lives during last year’s protests.
Wednesday’s meeting was attended by Ladakh MP Haneefa Jan, Sajjad Kargili and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, among others.
With the September dialogue expected to provide the next major platform for negotiations between Ladakh’s civil society groups and the Centre, the LAB and KDA have signalled that they intend to approach the talks with a clearly defined set of demands. The emphasis on constitutional safeguards, greater legislative and financial powers, accountability for last year’s violence and protection of local interests is likely to remain at the centre of the negotiations.
