Leh: The Leh Apex Body (LAB) announced on Monday that it will refrain from participating in talks with the Home Ministry’s High Powered Committee until normalcy is restored in Ladakh.
“We have unanimously decided that, given the current situation in Ladakh, we will not engage in any discussions as long as peace is not restored,” LAB Chairman Thupstan Chhewang said during a press conference here.
He added, “We call upon the Home Ministry, the UT administration, and other authorities to take immediate steps to address the prevailing atmosphere of fear, grief, and anger.”
The announcement follows widespread violent protests on September 24 during a shutdown called by the LAB to push for talks with the Centre regarding statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.
The unrest resulted in four fatalities, numerous injuries, and the detention of over 50 individuals allegedly involved in the rioting. Activist Wangchuk, a prominent figure in the agitation, was also arrested under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).
Earlier, after nearly four months of stalled negotiations, the Centre had extended an invitation on September 20 to both the LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which have been leading the campaign for statehood and Sixth Schedule provisions for the Union Territory.
