Ladakh leaders, MHA discuss 6th schedule, statehood, reservation

Representatives of Ladakh held a successful meeting with officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs here on Wednesday, putting forth their demands for statehood and including the region in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

Officials said the discussion focused on a four-point agenda: Statehood for Ladakh, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, reservation safeguards and the revocation of the National Security Act (NSA) imposed on climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.

The members also raised the issues of release of other detainees arrested following the September 24 protests in which four persons were killed and 80 others injured. Police had detained around 80 people, including Wangchuk, following the protest and about 18 of them are still in judicial custody.


The representatives said the officials heard their demands patiently and noted all the details during their hour-long meeting. They expect that the meeting of the high-powered committee will be held within a week or 10 days.

"We put forth our version and mentioned the demands of statehood and Sixth Schedule. We didn't expect any decision today as this was a sub-committee meeting. We expect that the meeting of the high-powered committee will be held within a week or 10 days," said Chering Dorjay, co-chairman of the Apex Body Leh.

Three members each from Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance, along with the Lok Sabha MP from Ladakh and a lawyer, participated in the meeting. The chairmen of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Council for Leh and Kargil were also present. Senior officials from MHA participated.

"We also raised the demand for release of all the detainees, including Sonam Wangchuk. They noted down all our demands. We are hopeful of positive developments," said Dorjay.

"We had a meeting regarding statehood and Sixth Schedule... We also addressed compensation issues, especially for the four people who were killed and the injured. We hope MHA will provide a positive response and we will meet again soon. We expect a positive outcome," said Sajad Kargili of KDA.

Ladakh MP Mohd Haneefa Jan, who was part of the nine-member delegation, said the talks were held in a positive atmosphere, with both sides willing to continue engagement.