'Look forward to positive outcome': Ladakh leaders to meet home ministry sub-committee; statehood and Sixth Schedule on agenda

NEW DELHI: Representatives of Ladakh are scheduled to meet a sub-committee of the ministry of home affairs (MHA) in Delhi on October 22 to discuss their long-standing demands for statehood and safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, Leh Apex Body ( LAB ) co-chairman Chering Dorje Lakruk said on Sunday.

Three representatives each from LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), along with Ladakh MP Mohd Haneefa Jan, will participate in the talks.

The LAB and KDA have been spearheading the agitation for statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to the Union Territory .

“We were informed by the home ministry that a meeting of the sub-committee is scheduled for October 22, and both LAB and KDA are invited to it. We welcome the decision of the government of India to invite us and look forward to the positive outcome of the dialogue,” Lakruk told reporters, as per news agency PTI.

The announcement comes after widespread violent protests in Leh on September 24 during a shutdown called by LAB to press for talks with the Centre.

The clashes between protesters and security forces left four people dead, scores injured, and over 50 people taken into custody.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent face of the agitation, was also detained under the National Security Act (NSA).

Earlier, the home ministry had offered talks on July 20, but the representatives did not respond at the time.