Wangchuk warns of stir on Ladakh demands
Ladak leaders threatened fresh agitation from September 19 to 24 if the Centre fails to give assurances within a week on their demands for greater autonomy and constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory.
Sonam Wangchuk, a climate activist and part of the Ladakh delegation, stated that the recent talks with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) were cordial, but no significant progress was made. Wangchuk emphasized that the leaders had presented a list of "non-negotiables" including supremacy of the elected UT-level leader over bureaucracy and assurance that major decisions would not be taken before establishing a democratic structure.
However, Wangchuk reported that none of these demands were addressed during the meeting. The leaders also sought assurances against irreversible decisions on land allotment and the grassroots democratic structure, but Wangchuk stated that such assurances were not given. The leaders were particularly concerned about the lack of clarity on the powers of the proposed elected UT-level body, specifically regarding law and order.
The meeting called in question also seemed to be a tactic to delay a planned padyatra from September 19 to 24 if the government failed to provide a concrete proposal within a week. The leaders responded to remarks made by Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, who was expected to present a draft proposal on constitutional safeguards under Article 371K.
However, no draft was presented, and the leaders accused the government of not being sincere in their demands.
Written by urgent.news from The Indian Express's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
