SRINAGAR: In a significant move aimed at ensuring local participation in the ongoing investigation, the Centre has included a Ladakhi officer in the judicial commission probing the September 24 violence in Leh that claimed four lives.
The Department of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Affairs under the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an official order on October 28, amending the composition of the judicial inquiry committee earlier constituted to probe the incident.
According to the order, Rigzin Spalgon, Additional Secretary in the Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh, has been appointed to assist Dr Justice B S Chauhan, former Supreme Court Judge, as Joint Secretary for conducting the judicial inquiry.
Confirming the development, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, said in a statement that the inclusion of Spalgon “further strengthens coordination and administrative support from the Union Territory of Ladakh in facilitating the smooth conduct of the inquiry proceedings.” The amendment was issued by Prashant S Lokhande, Joint Secretary to the Government of India.
The decision comes amid sustained pressure from the Leh Apex Body (LAB), which had demanded the inclusion of a Ladakh-based representative in the judicial panel to ensure a fair and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the violence.
Earlier on October 18, the LAB — which along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) has been leading the agitation seeking statehood for Ladakh and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule — had welcomed the Centre’s announcement of a judicial probe but had insisted that the committee must include a local member to uphold transparency and trust.
The inclusion of a Ladakhi officer in the high-level inquiry is seen as a response to that demand, marking a step towards addressing local concerns over representation in critical administrative and judicial processes concerning the Union Territory.
