Ladakh Representatives Defer Hunger Strike Plan After 'Positive Talks' With Centre Over Key Demands Including Statehood

Representatives from Ladakh have decided to postpone their hunger strike plan following a meeting with Union Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai, held in Delhi on Tuesday (20 February).

The decision comes as a result of discussions regarding their demands, with the next meeting scheduled for 24 February.

During the meeting at the North Block, the Apex Body of Leh (ABL) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance(KDA) engaged with a high-powered committee from the Union Home Ministry to address their grievances.

The focus was on Ladakh's aspirations for statehood, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, and the formation of an exclusive Public Service Commission for the region, reported Economic Times.

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After the meeting, a joint statement by ABL and KDA outlined the decision to thoroughly deliberate on these demands during the upcoming meeting on 24 February.

In light of these developments, the representatives have opted to temporarily suspend their hunger strike plan, expressing optimism for fruitful discussions in the next meeting.

Meanwhile, in Leh, innovator Sonam Wangchuk and other locals had planned a "fast unto death" to advocate for the region's demands.

On 3 February, Ladakh observed a complete shutdown as thousands of people had gathered in Leh with demands to protect its cultural identity, environment, job reservation for locals, and a parliamentary seat each for Leh and Kargil.

The ABL and KDA were formed in Leh and Kargil after 2019 when Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union territory from J&K to strive for the rights of the people across the region.

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