SRINAGAR: With ministry of home affairs scheduling the next round of talks with Ladakh representatives on Sept 9, Leh Apex Body (LAB) Saturday postponed its planned protest programmes to mark the anniversary of last year’s violence in Ladakh, but warned that it would intensify the agitation if there’s no headway.LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance, two major political forces of Ladakh, are scheduled to participate in the next round of talks with the subcommittee in New Delhi.“Sept is being observed as martyrs’ month in memory of those killed and injured in the Sept 24 violence last year. We had planned a padayatra (march) from Kargil to Leh from Sept 10, with people from across India joining us in support of Ladakh,” LAB leader and environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk said.Addressing a news conference along with LAB co-chairperson Chering Dorjay Lakrook and others in Leh, Wangchuk said, “If the talks succeed, we will not need to hold many of the programmes planned for Sept. But, if there is procrastination and no progress, we will organise the remaining programmes with greater force.”Lakrook said he hoped the govt would come for the talks with “a clear heart and truth” and present detailed proposals on the proposed Ladakh Assembly, including its powers and responsibilities, and Article 371.“We will consider the talks successful if there is concrete progress on the main issues,” he said, warning that if talks do not yield any result, they will start an agitation with even greater force.Wangchuk said he also expects progress on compensation for the families of those killed on Sept 24 last year and the withdrawal of cases filed against protesters, which he called “illegitimate”. Besides, he demanded that the inquiry commission constituted to investigate last year’s violence should present its report and the circumstances surrounding the incident be addressed.
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Four people were killed and over 80 injured in alleged police firing on protesters in Leh demanding statehood on Sept 24, 2025.On Aug 30 this year, Union minister Kiren Rijiju, addressing a function in Leh, said Ladakh is poised for a bespoke constitutional shield, with MHA putting the final touches to a special Article 371 framework for the Union Territory. He had also stated that PM Narendra Modi will visit Ladakh to share his views on the proposed framework with people.The proposed Ladakh model is expected to offer administrative flexibility and safeguards for tribal land, environment, traditional practices and jobs, without granting statehood for the time being.
