Ladakh region, earlier a part of Jammu Kashmir, is observing a complete shutdown on Wednesday seeking constitutional safeguards and statehood for the region.
Ladakh, with its unique socio-political landscape, articulated its concerns, seeking concrete measures for its governance, landscape, culture, traditions and development.
Leaders from the region had a deliberation with Home Minister Amit Shah and at the front of these deliberations stood the establishment of a Public Services Commission (PSC) and the partial implementation of the Sixth Schedule through elected Hill Development Councils.
Ladakh, represented by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), voiced a unified stance, advocating for the full realization of the Sixth Schedule and the attainment of statehood status.
“The MHA wanted to implement some parts of Sixth Schedule indirectly while we are insisted on direct implementation of Sixth Schedule,’’ Chering Lakruk who is still in New Delhi along with other LAB and KDA leaders said.
He said deadlock prevailed on the demands of Statehood and Sixth Schedule.
Chering Dorjey Lakruk, co-chairman of LAB, underscored the progress made on the PSC front but lamented the lack of consensus regarding the Sixth Schedule’s modalities.
Educationist Sonam Wangchuk, renowned for his advocacy in the region, announced a fast in protest, symbolizing the community’s fervent desire for tangible progress.
A rally has also been planned in Leh to amplify the voices of dissent and solidarity.
Despite over two years of deliberations, the leadership of LAB and KDA lamented the lack of substantial progress on their four-point agenda, encompassing statehood, Sixth Schedule, PSC, and parliamentary representation for Ladakh.
The failure of recent negotiations has galvanized grassroots movements, heralding a renewed call for action and advocacy from local leaders and civil society organizations.