Efforts made by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to kick-start dialogue in Ladakh, in the wake of violence on September 24, were stalled by representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB).
On Monday, the organisation announced its decision to stay away from talks till the time normalcy is fully restored in the region. LAB leaders also demanded judicial enquiry into the death of four people killed in the violence.
A high-powered committee of the MHA had invited a Ladakh MP, along with representatives of the LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) to ‘break the ice’ in New Delhi on September 30.
A three-member delegation of the KDA left for New Delhi on Monday to attend the meeting, but representatives of LAB stayed back in Leh to attend the last rites of those killed in the protests.
LAB Chairman Thupstan Chhewang made the announcement shortly after the fourth victim of the violence — a former soldier — was cremated in Leh.
“We have unanimously agreed that the situation that is prevailing in Ladakh, keeping that in view, as long as peace is not restored and a conducive atmosphere is not created, we will not participate in any talks,” said Chhewang, a former two-time MP.
“We will urge the Home Ministry, UT administration to take steps to address the atmosphere of fear, grief and anger that is there,” he said.
Curfew was relaxed for two hours at 4 pm in the region. During the relaxation, no untoward incident was reported.
Meanwhile, the MHA said the Union Government has always been open to dialogues on Ladakh matters with the LAB and KDA at any time. “We would continue to welcome the discussion with ABL and KDA through the HPC on Ladakh or any such platform,” the MHA said.
Earlier, the Union Government had fixed October 6 to hold parleys with representatives of the LAB and KDA in New Delhi over the issue of granting Statehood and extending the sixth schedule status to the region.
Four people were killed and scores of others were injured in clashes between protesters and security personnel, while over 50 people were taken into custody for their alleged involvement in rioting on September 24. Activist Sonam Wangchuk, the main face of the agitation, was also detained under the draconioan NSA and later shifted to a Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.