SRINAGAR: In a significant development, the Ladakh leadership has called off the hunger strike after the Centre agreed to discuss key demands including statehood for Ladakh, constitutional safeguards under the sixth schedule of the Constitution of India, and an exclusive Public Service Commission for Ladakh with the sub-committee.
Leaders of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) held a meeting with Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai in North Block on Monday, during which the high-powered committee of Ladakh was asked to form a sub-committee to further discuss the key demands.
The high-powered committee was informed that the sub-committee will hold further discussions on these demands on Saturday (February 24).
Meanwhile, in a joint handout, the LAB and the KDA said that they accordingly set up the sub-committee that will further discuss these key demands. “In view of this significant development, we decided to drop, for the time being, our plan to go on a hunger strike from tomorrow,” they said.
The members of the panel include Thupsan Chewang, Chering Dorjay Lakrook, and Nawang Rigzin Jora who would represent the LAB, while Qamar Ali Akhoon, Asgar Karbalie, and Sajjad Kargili would represent the KDA.
Both bodies said that they have conveyed the names of members of the sub-committee to Union Home Secretary, Ajay Bhalla. “All members of the panel are in New Delhi and look forward to fruitful discussions in the next meeting,” they said—(KNO)
