#Ladakh: Challenge To Centre As Leh Apex Body Suspends Talks ; Seeks Judicial Inquiry Into Police Firing ; Unconditional Release Of Sonam Wangchuk

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The Leh Apex Body, spearheading the agitation for statehood and constitutional safeguards in Ladakh,  announced suspension of talks with the Centre until a judicial inquiry into the police firing is constituted and all activists, including Sonam Wangchuk, are released unconditionally.

According to media reports, LAB chairman Thupstan Chhewang and co-chairman Chering Dorjay said the restoration of a “conducive atmosphere” in Ladakh was necessary before resuming dialogue.

Hardening its stand after the death of four protestors, the LAB said it would still rethink and join the talks on October 6 if the demands of ordering a judicial probe headed by a retired Supreme Court judge and releasing all prisoners were met by the government.

“We will urge the Home Ministry and the UT administration to take steps to address the atmosphere of fear, grief and anger that is there,” the two leaders said.

The boycott was announced hours after the fourth victim, a former army soldier, was cremated amid heavy security in the curfew-bound capital of Ladakh.

Late in the evening, the Home Ministry came out with a brief statement saying the government has always been open to dialogues on Ladakh matters with LAB and KDA.

“We would continue to welcome the discussion with Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance through the High Powered Committee on Ladakh or any such platform,” the statement said, pointing out the past results which had brought development and employment in the region.

“The dialogue mechanism…on Ladakh has yielded good results till date in the form of increased reservations to the Scheduled Tribes of Ladakh, providing women’s reservation in LAHDCs and protection to local languages. The process of recruitment for 1800 posts in government has already commenced in UT of Ladakh.