Amid curfew, ex-officials urge Delhi to hold dialogue with Ladakh

As tensions continue to simmer in Leh following last week’s violence—which left four dead and nearly 100 injured—former senior bureaucrats from the region are urging the Centre to listen to the voices of Ladakh and bridge the growing “communication gap” between Delhi and the Union Territory.

Leh town has remained under strict curfew for the past six days, bringing life and daily activities in this usually peaceful region to a complete standstill.

Speaking to The Tribune in Leh, former ambassador and president of the Ladakh International Centre, Phunchok Stobdan, emphasised the “urgent need” to address the concerns raised by the people.

“Whatever the people are saying needs to be addressed. If something isn’t feasible, it must be explained and communicated clearly. The focus should be on engaging in dialogue and finding a resolution—there’s no need to prolong this any further,” he said.

Stobdan pointed out that a clear “communication gap” currently exists between Delhi and Ladakh. “Six years after Ladakh was granted Union Territory status, things should have settled. We’ve seen several Lieutenant Governors come and go, but the current setup lacks a solid political foundation,” he remarked.

The former diplomat also criticised the Central government for not holding enough consultations with local stakeholders. “They may have constitutional experts advising them, but this is not just a legal issue—it’s also cultural, religious, historical, and anthropological. It needs a multifaceted understanding,” he said.

He stressed the importance of convincing the people rather than imposing decisions. “Take the Sixth Schedule demand, for instance. If the government has objections, it must explain and offer alternative protections in a way that people can understand and accept.”

Stobdan also highlighted the rising frustration among Ladakhi youth due to lack of employment opportunities. “Job creation is directly linked to aspirations. Unfortunately, not enough has been done on that front. The system needs fixing, and institutions must be activated to address these issues,” he said.

He added that local voices must be included in policy-making processes. “Those formulating policies in Delhi often have little understanding of Ladakh, which has led to mishandling. Local input is essential,” Stobdan emphasised.

Echoing these views was C. Phuntsog, former Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir and Padma Shri awardee. He warned that the government should not delay addressing people’s concerns, particularly those of the youth. “Delhi needs to listen to the people. In fact, I would go as far as to say that tangible steps should be announced in the next round of talks,” Phuntsog told The Tribune.

Highlighting the growing anxiety over jobs, he noted, “There’s clear frustration among the youth. The government must act to defuse this—inaction will only make things worse.”

Phuntsog also stressed Ladakh’s strategic location, sharing borders with both China and Pakistan, and warned against letting unrest escalate. “Given the region’s geopolitical importance, the Centre must handle Ladakh’s issues with utmost seriousness and urgency,” he said.