Ahead of Oct 6 talks, Ladakh leaders to discuss firing, detentions with MHA

Representatives from Ladakh — comprising members of the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, who are in talks with New Delhi over demands for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule — are set to hold a preparatory yet crucial meeting this week in Delhi. This will be the first such meeting following the tragic clashes on Wednesday, where four people were killed and nearly 100 injured in firing incidents.

The leaders have said they will raise the issue of “indiscriminate firing” by security personnel in Leh during their discussions with officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The preparatory meeting is expected to set the tone for the talks scheduled between the Home Ministry and Ladakh leaders on October 6.

Sources told The Tribune that while the meeting was initially scheduled for Monday, September 29, the leaders are likely to postpone it due to the last rites of two more victims being held that day.

“I don’t think we will be able to go to Delhi on Monday. But yes, we are expected to travel on Tuesday,” said Cherring Dorjay Lakruk, co-convenor of the Leh Apex Body and president of the influential Ladakh Buddhist Association.

Lakruk added that the leaders will also raise concerns about the firing and the ongoing detentions with the MHA officials. “We will explain how firing occurred without any warning. Now, we are being labelled as anti-nationals, and there are claims that Pakistan and China are behind the protests, which is totally untrue,” he said.

He further noted that people are questioning the recent happenings, and the leaders are bound to bring up these issues with the MHA. “We are demanding a judicial probe, but nothing has been done so far in that regard,” he added.

Sources within the Apex Body described the preparatory meeting as very “crucial” ahead of the October 6 talks of the high-powered committee.

“During this week’s preparatory meeting, we will emphasise that discussions should focus on the four core demands during the October talks,” said a member. “We want result-oriented discussions this time.”

Following the violent protests during the hunger strike by activist Sonam Wangchuk and others, four people died and nearly 100 were injured on Wednesday afternoon. Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) and transferred to Jodhpur Jail.

After the clashes, the Union Home Ministry, which blamed Wangchuk’s provocative statements for the unrest, announced that meetings were planned on September 25 and 26 with Ladakh leaders. However, these meetings did not take place as the leaders did not travel to Delhi due to the tense situation on the ground.