LAB says ‘ready for talks on Statehood, 6th Schedule’; KDA to consult Apex Body over dialogue
Prohibitory orders in Leh; CS says ‘HPC meeting dates to be announced soon; Ladakh may get constitutional safeguards’
Jammu: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday ordered a judicial inquiry into the September 24 violence in Leh that left four people dead and nearly 90 others injured, prompting a cautious welcome from Ladakh’s leadership.
Despite the announcement, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) said their scheduled silent march and blackout scheduled for tomorrow across Ladakh would go ahead as planned.
The leaders, however, said they were ready for talks over two core issues—Statehood and Sixth Schedule for Ladakh as the Centre has fulfilled their major demand of judicial probe into Leh killings.
The MHA, in its official notification, said that the former Supreme Court judge Dr. Justice B.S. Chauhan would conduct an impartial judicial inquiry probe into the “circumstances leading to the serious law and order situation, the police action, and the resultant unfortunate deaths.”
“The Government has always been open for dialogue at any time. We will continue to welcome discussions with the LAB and KDA through the High-Powered Committee on Ladakh or any such platform,” the ministry said, adding “We are confident that continuous dialogue would yield the desired results in near future. The Government stands committed to the aspiration of people of Ladakh”.
Chief Secretary of Ladakh Dr. Pawan Kotwal, accompanied by Director General of Police (DGP) Dr. S.D. Singh Jamwal, announced the MHA’s decision at a press conference in Leh. He said the Judicial Commission would receive administrative support from a senior IAS officer and judicial assistance from a senior judicial officer.
Dr. Kotwal hinted that “constitutional safeguards” for Ladakh could be announced after the dialogue while saying “talks are only the way forward to resolve the issues”.
“The date for the next meeting of the High-Powered Committee (HPC) will be announced soon. The dialogue will lead to constitutional safeguards,” he said.
While making a fervent appeal for restraint, the Chief Secretary urged leaders from the region to avoid large gatherings. “We have returned to normalcy under difficult circumstances. Leaders must now help preserve peace. The major demand—judicial inquiry—has been fulfilled by the Government of India. The recent disturbances put an impact on tourism which is the backbone of the region’s economy. Peace is essential for tourism revival, which has been badly affected,” he said.
He further assured that compensation for victims would not be an issue. “We are positive. If there is someone innocent affected, they will be compensated. Funds are not a problem,” he added.
In view of the planned silent march and blackout for tomorrow, District Magistrate Leh Romil Singh Donk imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 in Tehsil Leh.
“As per report received by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Leh, there is an apprehension of disturbance to public peace and tranquility, danger to human life and a possibility of law and order problem in Tehsil Leh jurisdiction,” the order said while banning procession, rally or march and assembly of five or more persons to be carried out without the prior written approval of the competent authority.
Meanwhile, Leh Apex Body Co-chairman, Chering Dorjay Lakruk welcomed the government’s decision to order a judicial inquiry into the killings of four people.”
He said the move has paved the way for talks on two core issues—restoration of Statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule. “As for the release of detainees, including Sonam Wangchuk, those demands were never conditional. Our only condition for initiating talks was the judicial inquiry, which has now been fulfilled,” Lakruk said.
On the silent march and blackout scheduled for Saturday, he clarified that the call would not be withdrawn. “We cannot cancel it at this stage. The people have already been informed, and the programme will go ahead as planned,” he said.
Reacting to the Ladakh Buddhist Association’s advisory asking schools, colleges, and universities to remain open and advising students not to join the march, Lakruk said, “Their decision seems to be aimed at preventing any recurrence of the September 24 incident.”
Talking to The News Now, the KDA leader Sajjad Kargili said, “The government’s decision to order a judicial inquiry into the killings is a welcome step, but it remains incomplete. We will consult our counterparts in the Leh Apex Body to decide whether to participate in the proposed talks and to deliberate on the scope of this partial inquiry order”.
The leader called for the unconditional release of all detainees, including Sonam Wangchuk, withdrawal of charges against all the detainees, dignified compensation to the victims’ families, and medical aid for the injured.
“The silent march and night blackout are meant to express solidarity with the families who lost their loved ones and those who were grievously injured in the tragic September 24 incident,” he said.
