MHA Team to Hold Informal Talks with Ladakh Groups on July 2
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is set to hold an informal round of talks with Ladakh-based groups, including the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), in Leh on Thursday, July 2. The meeting will serve as a prelude to the next round of talks in New Delhi, where discussions will focus on the framework of a Union Territory-level legislative body proposed during the May 22 Sub-Committee meeting.
Preparatory Meeting in Leh
LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakrook told The Tribune that Thursday’s meeting would be informal and preparatory in nature. He noted that the MHA has not yet announced the date for the meeting in New Delhi. “A two-member team of senior MHA officials will meet us in Leh tomorrow. Three members each from the LAB and the KDA will discuss the future course of action and the proposals made during the May 22 meeting,” he said.
MHA Team Composition and Groundwork
The MHA team is expected to lay the groundwork for the main meeting based on its assessment. It will comprise an Additional Secretary-rank officer and another official from the Intelligence Bureau (IB). The team will gather inputs from the Ladakh groups to refine the agenda for the New Delhi talks.
Joint Strategy by Ladakh Groups
Lakrook said the LAB and KDA would also meet before their interaction with the MHA team in Leh to finalise a joint strategy. The Ladakh groups have prepared a draft proposal outlining the framework for a UT-level elected body with financial and executive powers.
Constitutional Safeguards on the Agenda
During the May 22 meeting, an understanding was reportedly reached on providing constitutional safeguards on the lines of Articles 371A, 371F, and 371G, which currently apply to Nagaland, Sikkim, and Mizoram. These provisions grant special protections and safeguards to the three states. The Ladakh groups are demanding similar protections to preserve their unique cultural and geographical identity.
District Councils for New Districts
Thursday’s talks are also expected to help the MHA finalise its draft proposal on the UT-level elected body and seven district councils. While Ladakh earlier had only two districts—Leh and Kargil—five new districts have since been created. The newly carved districts are also expected to get Hill Councils, which would provide local governance and development administration.
Background of Agitation
Residents and political groups in Ladakh have been agitating for the past five years, demanding statehood, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, and other safeguards from the Centre. The Sixth Schedule provides for autonomous district councils with legislative and executive powers over certain areas. The demand for statehood stems from the perception that Ladakh, as a Union Territory, lacks adequate representation and financial autonomy.
Next Steps
The informal talks in Leh will set the stage for the main meeting in New Delhi, where the MHA is expected to present its own draft proposal. The outcome of these discussions will determine the structure and powers of the proposed UT-level legislative body, which could address long-standing grievances of the Ladakhi people. The MHA has not yet confirmed a date for the New Delhi meeting, but it is expected to be scheduled soon after the Leh consultations.
