Ladakh groups yet to receive formal invite for May 22 MHA talks

Despite the scheduled talks between the sub-committee of Ladakh representatives and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on May 22, the Ladakh groups have not yet received a formal invitation or agenda.

The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) are awaiting official communication regarding the talks to be held in New Delhi. LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakruk said that as of Sunday evening, no invitation or agenda had been received. “They should have sent the invite by now, but we have not received it,” he stated.

When asked whether he believes the talks will take place on the scheduled date, Lakruk questioned, “How can we trust the government?”

Ladakh Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena had announced May 22 as the date for the sub-committee meeting ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Ladakh on April 30. Ladakh representatives had earlier requested that the meeting be held with Shah in Ladakh.

The sub-committee is chaired by senior officials from the MHA and the Ladakh administration.

Meanwhile, the KDA held a meeting on Sunday in which Sajjad Hussain Kargili was nominated as its new co-chairman. The post had fallen vacant following the death of Qammar Ali Akhone, a veteran leader of the NC.