Kargil Democratic Alliance Joins Leh Apex Body, Suspends Talks with Centre, Demands Sonam Wangchuk’s Release
Following Leh Apex Body’s stance, Kargil Democratic Alliance halts dialogue with Centre until activist release and judicial probe into Leh firing.
Day after the Leh Apex Body (LAB) announced on Monday that it would halt talks with the Central government until normalcy is restored in Ladakh, the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on Tuesday declared a similar decision. The KDA stated it would not participate in discussions with the Centre until climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is released.
KDA co-chairman Asgar Karbalai told reporters that the Union government must initiate a judicial inquiry into the police firing in Leh that claimed four lives. He also demanded the immediate release of all individuals detained following the unrest.
LAB chairman Thupstan Chhewang had earlier emphasized that dialogue cannot resume unless peace is fully restored in the region, describing the prevailing situation as marked by “fear, grief, and anger.”
Both LAB and KDA have been advocating for full statehood for Ladakh and the implementation of the Sixth Schedule protections. The demands gained national attention after violent clashes erupted on September 24 during Wangchuk’s hunger strike, leaving four dead and dozens injured. Protesters reportedly set fire to the local BJP office, LAB office, and a CRPF vehicle.
Following the unrest, Wangchuk ended his hunger strike and appealed for calm. He was later arrested under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) revoked the FCRA registration of his Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) over alleged violations.
Meanwhile, the MHA reiterated that the government remains committed to dialogue. “The Centre has always been open to discussions with the Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance through the High Powered Committee on Ladakh or any other platform,” the ministry said. It highlighted previous achievements under the dialogue mechanism, including increased reservations for Scheduled Tribes, women’s representation in Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils, protection of local languages, and ongoing recruitment for 1,800 government posts.
