Four more granted bail in Leh violence; Ladakh leaders finalize draft for MHA

Four more individuals detained in connection with the September 24 violence in Leh have been granted interim bail, the Leh Bar Association confirmed on Monday.

Among those released are the vice president of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and the president of the LBA youth wing, said Bar Association president Mohd Shafi Lassu.

“One person was granted bail on Monday, and today, three others were released by the court of the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Leh,” Lassu said. He added that over a dozen people remain in custody, and efforts are underway to approach the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court for bail in the case of a Congress councillor and former MLA.

Meanwhile, Ladakh leaders are preparing to submit a detailed draft of their demands to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The move follows the October 22 meeting in Delhi between Ladakh representatives and Union Home Ministry officials — the first formal dialogue since the September 24 clashes that left four dead and nearly 100 injured.

During the meeting, it was decided that leaders from the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) would submit a written draft outlining their key demands. A subsequent subcommittee-level meeting is expected to be scheduled once the draft is received.

Sources said internal consultations between LAB and KDA leaders were held last week to finalise the document. “The draft is almost ready and will be submitted this week,” said a senior leader, adding that the primary focus would be on securing Sixth Schedule status and statehood for Ladakh.

Following the subcommittee-level discussions, a meeting of the high-powered committee headed by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai is also expected to take place.