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Sonam Wangchuk Warns Fresh Ladakh Agitation From September 19
Sonam Wangchuk is asking India’s government to give clearer promises about Ladakh’s future.
Ladakh groups want more local decision-making power and protections for the region.
They especially want an elected body for the Union Territory.
Their representatives met officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi.
The representatives said the government did not show them a draft explaining how that body would work.
The ministry called the meeting positive.
Wangchuk warned that a protest march could take place from September 19 to 24 if no assurance comes within a week.
The groups had postponed an earlier march while waiting for the talks.
Sonam Wangchuk warned of a fresh agitation from September 19 to 24 if the Centre gives no assurance within a week.
The Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance said talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs produced no draft for a proposed elected Ladakh body.
The Ladakh groups have sought statehood, constitutional safeguards and an elected legislative body since negotiations began in 2021.
The Ministry of Home Affairs described the latest meeting as positive, despite the groups’ disappointment.
The proposed padyatra was postponed from September 10, but Wangchuk said it could resume if talks fail to produce satisfactory results.
- Who
- Sonam Wangchuk, the Leh Apex Body, the Kargil Democratic Alliance and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- What
- Wangchuk warned of a fresh agitation and possible padyatra over Ladakh’s demands, especially an elected legislative body.
- Where
- The talks took place in New Delhi, while the proposed padyatra would be connected to Ladakh.
- When
- The proposed agitation is scheduled for September 19-24 if no assurance is received within a week; the latest meeting occurred on September 9.
- Why
- The Ladakh groups said they received no draft or assurance on the structure, powers and rights of a proposed elected body, alongside broader demands for statehood and constitutional guarantees.
Ladakh Groups’ Position
Government Position
Outcome of the talks
Ladakh Groups’ Position
The Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance said they were disappointed because no draft or assurance was provided for the proposed elected body.
Government Position
The Ministry of Home Affairs described the meeting as positive.
Need for renewed protests
Ladakh Groups’ Position
Sonam Wangchuk said a large agitation and padyatra would be necessary if the Centre does not provide an assurance within a week.
Government Position
The government’s stated positive assessment suggests it considers the discussions constructive, although the article does not report a specific commitment.
Proposed elected body
Ladakh Groups’ Position
The Ladakh groups want to examine a written draft detailing the body’s structure, powers and rights before judging whether the proposal is satisfactory.
Government Position
The article reports no government draft or detailed proposal was presented at the latest meeting.
Key facts
- Proposed agitation
- September 19-24
- Earlier padyatra
- Planned from Kargil to Leh for September 10, then postponed
- Main participants
- Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance
- Government body
- Ministry of Home Affairs subcommittee
- Long-standing demands
- Statehood, constitutional guarantees and an elected legislative body
- Negotiations
- The groups have negotiated with the Centre since 2021
- Previous unrest
- Four people were killed and scores injured during violence on September 24 last year
Quotes
Sonam Wangchuk
Ladakh social activist and statehood movement leader
“We are helpless. We were thinking that there would be no need to carry out a protest or a padyatra, but... We have not received any assurance. If we don't receive an assurance, then we would be forced to launch a massive agitation. The padyatra will now be held from September 19 to 24. However, we are still hopeful of receiving an assurance within a week.”
republicworld.com
“We had come from Ladakh with the hope that a draft would be ready for creating the UT-level elected body, an issue on which there is a consensus. We were hoping that the talks would go forward from there... But unfortunately, we were disappointed.”
republicworld.com
Sources
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