Leh, Sep 29: The Leh Apex Body (LAB) on Monday announced that it will not engage in talks with the High Powered Committee of the Union Home Ministry until normalcy returns to Ladakh, following last week’s violent protests.
“We have unanimously agreed that given the prevailing situation in Ladakh, as long as peace is not restored, we will not participate in any talks,” LAB Chairman Thupstan Chhewang told reporters.
He urged the Home Ministry and the UT administration to address the “atmosphere of fear, grief and anger” among the people.
Violent protests erupted on September 24 during a shutdown called by the LAB to press for statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh. Four people were killed, dozens injured, and more than 50 detained for alleged involvement in rioting. Activist Sonam Wangchuk, the face of the agitation, was also detained under the NSA.
After nearly four months of stalled talks, the Centre had on September 20 invited both the LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) for discussions on their demands.
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