Srinagar, Sep 29: The Leh Apex Body (LAB) on Monday announced that it will stay away from talks with the High Powered Committee of the Home Ministry until normalcy is restored in Ladakh.
Chairman Thupstan Chhewang told reporters, “We have unanimously agreed that, given the current situation in Ladakh, we will not participate in any talks until peace is restored. We urge the Home Ministry, the UT administration, and local authorities to take immediate steps to address the atmosphere of fear, grief, and anger prevailing in the region.”
The announcement comes after widespread violent protests on September 24 during a shutdown called by the LAB to push for statehood for Ladakh and extension of the Sixth Schedule to the Union Territory. Clashes between protesters and security personnel left four people dead and scores injured, while over 50 individuals were taken into custody for alleged involvement in rioting. Activist Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent figure in the agitation, was also detained under the National Security Act (NSA).
Earlier, after nearly four months of stalled talks, the Centre had extended an invitation on September 20 to the LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), the two main groups leading the agitation for statehood and Sixth Schedule protections in Ladakh.
