Ladakh groups allege ‘harassment’ of civil society members by police

The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) — the two major groups from Ladakh engaged in talks with the Union Government — have written to the Union Home Secretary, seeking urgent intervention over the alleged “harassment and intimidation” of civil society members by the Ladakh Police.

In a letter addressed to the Home Secretary and signed by representatives of LAB, KDA, and the Ladakh Member of Parliament, the groups said several members of the civil society had complained about being subjected to “undue questioning, harassment, and intimidation” in connection with recent events in Ladakh.

“We are particularly disturbed to learn that individuals who have already been released on bail by the Leh court are being repeatedly summoned to police stations and subjected to intimidation and harassment on a daily basis,” the letter stated.

The groups said such actions by the police were creating “an atmosphere of fear and insecurity” among the youth and the wider civil society. “This situation is also discouraging people from freely participating in the ongoing judicial inquiry,” they noted.

Calling for immediate redressal, the LAB and KDA urged the Home Ministry to issue clear directions to the Ladakh Police, restraining them from any further acts of “harassment or intimidation of locals.”

“If such acts continue, they will adversely affect the spirit of the ongoing talks with the Home Ministry and may also undermine the larger goal of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the region,” the letter stated. Copies of the communication have also been sent to the Chief Secretary, UT Ladakh; the Special Director, Intelligence Bureau; and the Ladakh DGP.

Last month, leaders from Ladakh held formal talks with the Union Home Ministry in New Delhi — the first round of dialogue since the September 24 violence in Leh, which left four people dead and nearly 100 injured. The violence had erupted following a hunger strike led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who fasted for 35 days demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh.

Meanwhile, the LAB and KDA held a joint meeting on Wednesday to finalise a detailed draft of their demands for submission to the Ministry of Home Affairs. “The draft will be submitted soon. We held detailed discussions today,” a Ladakh leader said, adding that the document will primarily reiterate the four core demands.