Leh, Oct 22 (NVI) A civil society group of Ladakh today hit out at Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) for rejecting a proposal of the Union Home Ministry regarding constitutional guarantees and particularly targeted activist Sonam Wangchuk, saying he has “hijacked” the original agenda.
The Civil Society Forum of Ladakh held a meeting here in Leh today to discuss the situation arising from the deadlock in the process to reorganise the character and powers of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The meeting was attended by former Ladakh MP Thupstan Chhewang, former Chairman of Leh Hill Development Council Rigzen Spalbar, former MLC Tsering Samphel, representatives of Thiksey and Thuksey Rinpoche, monks from various monasteries, members of the Ladakh Buddhist Association and GCM and some other eminent personalities of the region.
Representatives of LBA and KDA are part of the Sub-Committee which also includes officials of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) tasked to decide reorganisation of powers of Ladakh.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the Civil Society Forum of Ladakh said the ABL and KDA “no longer represent the voices of all districts” of Ladakh and criticised the “confrontational attitude of some members during the talks” on October 15.
It expressed deep concern over delays in the ongoing dialogue between the MHA and ABL/KDA, alleging deviation from the original agenda of safeguarding Ladakh’s land, jobs, and culture.
The Forum said “the original agenda of land, job and cultural safeguards has been hijacked by Sonam Wangchuk.”
Criticising the “confrontationists and delaying approach by some members”, the Forum emphasised that “dialogue process should not be held hostage to delaying tactics and confrontational politics.”
Officials of the MHA and representatives of LAB/KDA last met on October 15 during which the central government gave a 32-page proposal, which included a special status for Ladakh under Article 271(K) of the Indian Constitution. The proposal also included formation of an elected body under this Article, but without the status of an Assembly.
The ABL/KDA rejected it the following day, saying there are “significant gaps” between the two positions of the two sides.
The ABL/KDA said the elected body should be called the ‘Assembly of UT Ladakh’ and there should a ‘Chief Minister’ heading that elected body’.
Both sides had agreed to hold another meeting in the national capital today which did not take place.
Chhewang alleged that ABL and KDA leaders rejected the MHA’s draft without adequately examining the options and misrepresented earlier meeting outcomes, creating public confusion.
Referring to the planned meeting between MHA officials and representatives of LAB and KDA not taking place in Delhi today, Chhewang attributed it to “repeated delays, misinformation, and disregard for earlier consensus”.
It said dialogue process should not be held hostage to delaying tactics and confrontational politics.
He expressed concern over the adverse implications for Leh, particularly the Buddhist community.
“As per the ground reality, ABL/KDA no longer represent the voices of all districts,” it said.
The Forum issued an appeal for conduct of early Panchayat and LAHDC elections across all districts, enhanced powers for elected councils, and reconstitution of LAB with democratically elected representatives from all districts. (NVI)
