Leh, November 15: The Central Government is expected to initiate another round of discussions with Ladakh's political representatives soon after the December 4 elections to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), with December 5 to 10 emerging as the likely timeframe for the proposed meeting.
Leh Apex Body (LAB) chairman Chering Dorje Lakruk said the Centre had informally indicated its readiness to resume dialogue through the High-Powered Committee (HPC). The proposed engagement is expected to focus on the unresolved political and constitutional issues concerning Ladakh.
The indication of fresh talks comes at a time when the LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have intensified their campaign for greater political rights and constitutional protection for the region. Both organisations have consistently demanded statehood, safeguards under the Sixth Schedule and constitutional guarantees to protect Ladakh's land, employment and cultural identity.
However, the proposed timing of the LAHDC elections has triggered fresh differences between the Centre and the regional leadership. The LAB has objected to conducting the polls on December 4, arguing that the winter schedule could prevent a significant number of residents from participating in the electoral process.
Lakruk, who has been participating in a sit-in protest in Leh since November 12, questioned the decision to proceed with the elections before reopening formal negotiations. He expressed apprehension that the electoral exercise could affect the unity and collective representation of Ladakh's organisations during discussions with the Centre.
He also raised concerns over the electoral rolls, alleging that certain eligible voters had been left out while the names of deceased individuals continued to figure in the lists.
The LAB chairman clarified that the organisation had no objection to the democratic exercise itself but wanted the authorities to ensure that elections were conducted at a time when residents could participate without difficulty. He pointed out that many people had already left Ladakh ahead of the harsh winter conditions.
The LAB and KDA have maintained that Ladakh requires meaningful constitutional and administrative safeguards following its separation from the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. Their demands include statehood, Sixth Schedule protection and a framework that gives local representatives greater authority over governance and decision-making.
Meanwhile, protests have continued in Leh, with members of the LAB observing a sit-in and chain hunger strike to press their demands and seek reconsideration of the election schedule.
Lakruk reiterated that his organisation remained open to negotiations with the Centre but stressed that discussions must address the fundamental concerns of Ladakh's people.
The proposed post-election meeting could prove significant for the future course of dialogue between the Centre and Ladakh's leadership, particularly over the region's demand for constitutional safeguards and greater political autonomy.
