Resume Ladakh talks: Wangchuk to Centre

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take timely measures, as the date for the next round of talks between the Union Home Ministry and Ladakh leaders remains unannounced.

In a note titled “Hanging Between Trust and Mistrust – Ladakh Awaits Dialogue,” Wangchuk said, “Today marks one month since the unconditional revocation of my detention under the NSA, 1980.”

Last month, the Union Home Ministry revoked his detention under the National Security Act. He said the revocation order had raised hopes that the Centre was willing to correct past mistakes, as it spoke of building mutual trust for a “constructive and meaningful dialogue.”

“However, even after 2.5 months since the last meeting on February 4, no date has been announced for the next round of talks,” said Wangchuk.

Wangchuk also expressed concern that in the absence of dialogue, “shady entities” were exploiting the situation to create divisions between Leh and Kargil.

“As people in this sensitive border region grow disheartened, I urge the Prime Minister and Home Minister to take timely steps in the national interest to resolve the issues at the earliest,” he added.

Last month, hundreds participated in protest rallies in Leh and Kargil following a call by the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh, along with a clear timeline for talks.