Ladakh admn reaffirms govt commitment to dialogue, denies exploitation of local resources

The Ladakh administration on Saturday reiterated government’s commitment to addressing the aspirations of the region’s people—particularly its youth—and said it “would be keen to start the dialogue process soon.” It also firmly denied allegations of commercial exploitation of local resources.

Addressing a press conference in Leh, Ladakh Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal stated that there is “no commercial exploitation of resources at all” and emphasised that the administration remains focused on safeguarding Ladakh’s ecosystem, cultural identity, land, and livelihood.

On the recent unrest in Leh, Kotwal said that 30 of the 70 detained youth have been released, while the remaining 40 are in judicial custody, pending court decisions. “We will ensure that innocent youngsters are not subjected to any hardship or wrongful implication,” Kotwal assured.

He claimed that the ongoing investigation will reveal how certain leaders acted in a destructive and irresponsible manner, allegedly compromising Ladakh’s future for personal and political gain.

Referring to recent tensions that escalated into violence during a hunger strike led by activist Sonam Wangchuk—which resulted in the death of four people—Kotwal accused some groups of intentionally derailing the dialogue process, despite scheduled talks with the Centre. “Certain sections, agitated by the prospect of meaningful progress through dialogue, deliberately misled the public and created a law and order situation on September 24,” he said. “The investigating agencies have gathered evidence, which will be presented during the probe. We must allow the investigation to proceed without interference.”

Kotwal highlighted the Centre’s continued engagement with both the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), noting that several fruitful meetings have already taken place, including those with the High-Powered Committee (HPC) formed to address Ladakh’s constitutional and administrative concerns.

“This dialogue mechanism has already resulted in increased reservations for Scheduled Tribes in Ladakh, and other key demands are being addressed positively,” he said.

Reaffirming the administration’s openness to dialogue, Kotwal dismissed allegations of demographic change or cultural erasure in the region.

“Terms like ‘demographic flooding’ or ‘cultural genocide’ are misleading and create unnecessary fear. There is no evidence of any such trends, and such rhetoric only serves to create a smokescreen for political motives,” he said.

Kotwal urged political organisations not to exploit public sentiment, stating the government would continue working with the people of Ladakh to protect their rights, identity, and fragile ecology.

“We are committed to Ladakh’s inclusive development and to ensuring that every Ladakhi—especially the youth—has a secure future. Dialogue remains our preferred path,” he added.