Fresh differences surfaced Monday over negotiations on Ladakh's political future after the Leh Apex Body (LAB) accused the Centre of omitting key provisions from a draft record of the May 22 talks and warned of a renewed agitation, including hunger strikes.
Key Provision Missing
LAB member and environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk said representatives had agreed during talks with the Union home ministry's sub-committee that Ladakh would get a democratic structure with an assembly-like body enjoying legislative, executive and financial powers, including law-making authority. "It was decided that Ladakh would have a tailor-made democratic setup with an assembly-like structure," Wangchuk said, alleging a later government draft omitted a crucial provision placing bureaucracy under elected representatives. "The draft retained legislative and executive powers but the point that elected representatives would be superior to the bureaucracy was missing."
No Revised Version Shown
Wangchuk said LAB sought corrections but was not shown a revised version. He said LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakrook refused to sign the minutes after finding the provision still absent. Releasing LAB's own meeting record, Wangchuk said if corrections were not made, people should prepare for a prolonged struggle, including hunger strikes.
Government Response
Hours later, Ladakh chief secretary Ashish Kundra, who attended the May 22 meeting, said the summary document had been shared in good faith to reflect the broad outcome of discussions and invited objections. Kundra said talks had exceeded participants' expectations and covered a constitutional framework for Ladakh on the lines of Article 371. He said discussions also included a customised arrangement featuring a body with political, legislative and executive powers. "I think there was a broad agreement in principle among all stakeholders on this framework," Kundra added, noting that details still needed to be worked out and any constitutional changes would require Parliament's approval.
Next Steps
He said the Centre had asked Ladakh representatives to submit a draft proposal while the government would prepare its own version after consultations with the law ministry. "Within a few months it should be able to reach a meaningful outcome," he said.
Background of Talks
The May 22 talks in New Delhi involved representatives of LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). The dialogue process had stalled after four people were killed and more than 80 wounded in police firing on statehood protesters in Leh on September 24, 2025. Wangchuk, accused of inciting those protests, was arrested under the National Security Act and lodged in Jodhpur jail before the Centre revoked his detention in March. Following his release, he pushed for the resumption of talks and participated in the latest round of negotiations. The Ministry of Home Affairs constituted a committee headed by junior minister Nityanand Rai on January 2, 2023, to address Ladakh's key demands. Several rounds of talks have been held since.
