Dialogue Resumes: MHA Meets Ladakh Leaders to Address Statehood Demands

The Ministry of Home Affairs will meet Ladakh groups led by Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance on May 22. The groups demand statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule. This meeting aims to resolve ongoing issues and follows the release of notable figures linked to past protests.

In a critical move, the Ministry of Home Affairs has scheduled a meeting with Ladakh's agitating groups on May 22, as confirmed by Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. This initiative seeks an enduring resolution to demands for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule.

The upcoming meeting, following the last one held in February, aims to address issues that have kept the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) at odds with the Centre since 2021. The KDA has pushed for talks to continue, expressing readiness to consider any new propositions, save for council-based setups.

Recent developments saw influential individuals, formerly detained due to protest-related violence, released, reflecting the high stakes involved. This commitment to dialogue is underscored by Union Home Minister Amit Shah's scheduled visit to Leh on April 30, emphasizing government efforts to bolster Ladakh's development.