SRINAGAR: The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have put forward a set of “non-negotiable” demands ahead of their proposed dialogue with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in September, insisting that any future arrangement for Ladakh must address its political, financial and constitutional concerns.
The two organisations submitted a joint memorandum to Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra on Wednesday following discussions in Leh. They were informed that a formal meeting with the Union Home Ministry is expected to take place in Delhi during the first week of September.
LAB chairman Chering Dorjay and KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai said the memorandum focuses on the legislative and executive framework for Ladakh, financial powers and safeguards for its people.
They also made it clear that the commitments recorded during the previous round of talks in May should remain the basis for the next phase of discussions.
Karbalai said the chief secretary had assured the delegation that the demands outlined in the memorandum, along with proposed interim measures, would be conveyed to the MHA. A joint secretary from the ministry was also present during Wednesday’s discussions.
The format of the September meeting is yet to be finalised. The MHA will decide whether the talks will be held with the Sub-Committee or the High-Powered Committee, the leaders said.
The LAB and KDA have also renewed their demand for compensation for families affected by the violence in Leh on September 24 last year. They sought what they described as “dignified and respectable compensation” for those killed and injured during the protests.
The two groups further demanded withdrawal of cases registered against more than 80 people in connection with the agitation.
Karbalai described September 24 as a “black day” in Ladakh’s history and said the events of that day would continue to remain a major issue in their engagement with the authorities.
The groups plan to examine any draft proposal put forward by the Centre with the assistance of legal and constitutional experts before responding to it. Karbalai also cautioned that continued delays in addressing the issues could trigger wider public mobilisation.
On the composition of the dialogue mechanism, Dorjay said the LAB and KDA were open to the presence of people outside the officially notified panel as observers. However, he said they should not participate in the discussions or present the government’s position.
Meanwhile, the two organisations said their Martyrs’ Month programmes would continue, with weekly events planned ahead of a special observance on September 24 to remember those who lost their lives during last year’s protests.
The meeting was attended by Ladakh MP Haneefa Jan, Sajjad Kargili and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, among others.
