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| Suspense continues over next round of talks between Ladakh groups, MHA panel | | | Sanjay Pandita/Sandeep Bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 17: Amid growing public concern and mounting political pressure, suspense continues over the next round of talks between the agitating groups from Ladakh and the High Powered Committee (HPC) set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Despite repeated appeals and a recent three-day chain hunger strike, there has been no official word from the Union Government about resuming the dialogue process.
The last round of talks was held in May this year, when representatives of the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) met the MHA panel in New Delhi. Since then, however, the process has stalled—deepening frustration among agitating groups.
The recent chain hunger strike was observed simultaneously in Kargil as a symbolic and peaceful protest to draw the attention of the Centre toward the pending demands of the people of Ladakh. Participants in the strike, demanding statehood for Ladakh, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, reservation of jobs and land rights for locals, and separate parliamentary seats for the districts of Leh and Kargil.
Despite these efforts, no date has been fixed for the next round of discussions, leaving the region in a state of uncertainty. The silence from New Delhi has begun Despite repeated appeals and a recent three-day chain hunger strike, there has been no official word from the Centre about resuming the dialogue process.
The last round of talks was held in May this year in New Delhi. Since then, however, the process has remained stalled.
The recent chain hunger strike was observed simultaneously in Kargil and Ladakh to draw the attention of the Centre towards the pending demands.
We have shown patience. We are committed to peaceful means. But the government must now respond.
“We have shown patience. We are committed to peaceful means. But the government must now respond. People are losing faith in the process,” said a senior leader from the Leh Apex Body, pleading anonymity.
The HPC, chaired by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, was formed after sustained protests and repeated demands for engagement from Ladakh following the region’s bifurcation from Jammu and Kashmir and its designation as a Union Territory in 2019. Since then, voices from across the region—cutting across religious and political lines—have united to seek safeguards to protect Ladakh’s unique identity, fragile ecology, and cultural heritage.
The Leh Apex Body and the KDA, despite their ideological differences, have been working in tandem on this issue, emphasizing that the struggle is for the collective future of Ladakh. Their joint demands have received widespread public backing and have remained consistent through multiple rounds of discussions with the Centre.
“We are not asking for anything new. We are asking for what is necessary to preserve the identity, resources, and future of Ladakh,” said a KDA spokesperson. “It’s time the Centre acknowledges the urgency.” |
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