Leh, 18 April: In a significant political development, the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and the Leh Apex Body have voiced cautious optimism ahead of a crucial meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), slated for May 20. The talks, they say, are expected to address key concerns related to domicile rights, reservation policies, recruitment rules and the long-standing demand for statehood for Ladakh.
Addressing a joint press conference, Chairman of the United Ladakh Territory Coordination Committee (UTCC), Haji Asgar Karbalai, said that both bodies were hopeful of a constructive outcome from the meeting. “We are optimistic that our core demands, particularly regarding constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, will be taken seriously. We expect progress, especially on the matter of statehood,” Karbalai stated.
He, however, warned that if the meeting fails to yield any tangible outcomes, the leadership would be left with no option but to mobilise public demonstrations. “Should the talks fail to deliver results, we will take to the streets with the support of the people of Ladakh,” he asserted, underlining the growing frustration among residents over the perceived delay in addressing their concerns.
The MHA has formally invited members of the High-Powered Committee (HPC) representing Ladakh for talks, which will be chaired by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai. The meeting is being viewed as a pivotal moment in the ongoing dialogue between Ladakh’s civil society and the central government, particularly in light of the region’s unique geographic, cultural, and political challenges following its separation from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. Observers believe that the government’s response in the upcoming meeting could shape the future course of politics in Ladakh, where sentiments for greater autonomy and constitutional protections have steadily intensified.
