SRINAGAR: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has invited leaders of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) for a fresh round of talks in New Delhi on May 22, although no formal written invitation or agenda has reportedly been issued for the meeting.
Despite the absence of an officially circulated agenda, representatives of both apex bodies have confirmed their participation in the Sub-Committee meeting scheduled for 10 am at the MHA.
Leaders of the LAB reiterated that their core demands of statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution will remain central to the discussions.
The meeting is expected to be attended by three representatives each from the LAB and KDA, along with several prominent Ladakhi political figures, including former two-time MP Thupstan Chhewang, Ladakh MP Mohd Hanifa Jan, former Leh Hill Council Chairman-cum-CEC Tashi Gyalson, and Kargil Hill Council Chairman-cum-CEC Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon.
LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakruk said the Leh-based delegation will include climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and Lama Dorjay Stanzin. The KDA delegation is likely to comprise Asgar Ali Karbalai and Sajjad Kargili, among others.
Sources said the delegations were informed verbally by the administration on behalf of the MHA regarding the meeting, while no written communication outlining the agenda has so far been shared.
The LAB has also proposed that Supreme Court advocate Vikram Hegde be permitted to accompany its delegation to provide legal assistance during the talks.
Chief Secretary of Ladakh Ashish Kundra is also expected to participate in the discussions.
Meanwhile, sources indicated that the Centre may soon announce the Ladakh Subordinate Administrative Services (LSAS), aimed at strengthening administrative recruitment in the Union Territory. The move is being viewed as an alternative administrative safeguard, as the Centre has reportedly remained reluctant to accept demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule status.
Officials said the LSAS proposal has reached the final stage, with the Ladakh administration recently submitting a detailed report to the MHA covering recruitment rules, vacancy positions, and the role of the UPSC in conducting examinations for the proposed cadre.
Ladakh currently has around 1,200 vacancies in the gazetted cadre, a figure expected to rise further following the creation of five new districts in the Union Territory. Ladakh now has seven districts, compared to two prior to becoming a Union Territory in 2019.
However, both the LAB and KDA maintained that their movement for constitutional safeguards and restoration of democratic rights would continue.
The previous round of talks between the Centre and Ladakhi leaders was held on February 4 in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai.
The LAB and KDA have been jointly agitating for more than five years, demanding statehood, Sixth Schedule protections, job security, and constitutional safeguards for the people of Ladakh. (KNC)
