States » NorthPosted at: Oct 23 2026 12:00PM


Amid emergence of new Ladakh group, LAB makes public the documents exchanged with the MHA

Srinagar, Oct 23 (UNI) Amid the emergence of a new group in Ladakh calling for a renewed focus on grassroots democracy, the Leh Apex Body Leh (LAB), which has been negotiating with the Centre over the region’s constitutional and political demands, has made public a set of documents relating to its previous meetings with the union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), citing the need for transparency and independent public assessment.
Several rounds of talks have been held between the Centre and representatives of the LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which have been seeking constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, including greater autonomy and protection of land, jobs and cultural identity.
In a 71-page document titled “An Appeal to the People of Ladakh,” LAB chairman Chering Dorjay Lakrook said the documents and drafts exchanged with the MHA had been placed in the public domain to enable people to assess the progress of negotiations, the commitments recorded and the issues that remain unresolved. The last round of talks between Ladakh leaders and officials of the MHA was held in Leh on October 17.
“I consider it my responsibility, on behalf of the LAB, to place before the people of Ladakh the relevant documents and drafts exchanged between them and the MHA. We had expected the Office of the Chief Secretary and the MHA to make these documents publicly available for wider consultation and informed discussion. However, as this has not happened, whether deliberately or otherwise, the LAB has taken the initiative to place the documentary record in the public domain,” Lakrook said.
He said transparency was essential when the constitutional and political future of Ladakh was at stake, adding that public debate should be guided by facts rather than rumours or selective interpretations.
“Our people deserve facts, not rumours or selective interpretations. The documents are being made available for public information and independent assessment,” he said, appealing to citizens to study the records and form their own opinions.
Defending the LAB’s negotiating position, Lakrook said its efforts to secure meaningful constitutional safeguards and democratic rights should not be misconstrued as confrontation.
“Our firm stand on protecting the interests of our people must not be misconstrued as confrontation. Seeking a just and lasting solution is not confrontation; it is our responsibility to the people of Ladakh,” he said, urging people to examine the differences between the proposals and assess the progress made in the negotiations.
The documents outline the differences between the proposals put forward by the MHA and those advanced jointly by the ABL and KDA.
According to the LAB, the MHA’s proposals presented on September 9, outlining the powers of a proposed union Territory-level body under Article 240 of the Constitution, were categorically rejected by the members of the sub-committee.
In contrast, the joint LAB -KDA proposal seeks a special constitutional provision under the proposed Article 371K, providing for a directly elected Assembly and a government headed by a Chief Minister, with legislative, executive and financial powers.
The proposal also sought administrative control over civil servants and constitutional safeguards for land, natural resources, domicile, public employment, education, culture and languages. It further calls for a separate civil services cadre and an independent Public Services Commission for Ladakh.
Lakrook said an understanding had been recorded at the July 3 meeting on the need for a special constitutional provision and a union Territory-level legislative body with control over the bureaucracy.
The proposed joint declaration calls on the Centre to introduce a Constitution Amendment Bill in Parliament, with the objective of securing its passage during the winter session beginning in December 2026.
Amid the ongoing negotiations, the newly formed Civil Society Forum of Ladakh- headed by former LAB chairman Thupstan Chhewang- expressed concern over the present status of dialogue with Government of India.
The Forum, which met in Leh, comprises religious leaders, Rinpoches, monks representing monasteries and religious bodies, intellectuals, retired IAS and KAS officers, and former and sitting MPs, MLAs, Chief Executive Councillors and councillors.
The Forum accused LAB and KDA of adopting consistent delaying tactics and disregarding consensus reached by them with the Government of India.
It also alleged that the original agenda of land, employment and cultural safeguards had been sidelined, claiming that the current direction of the negotiations had hijacked by Sonam Wangchuk and domination of KDA, compromising the interests of individual districts and the Buddhist community.
On Thursday, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk accused the Centre of backtracking on an understanding reached with Ladakh groups terming it yet “another betrayal of trust.”
UNI MJR ARN
Tags: #Amid emergence of new Ladakh group# LAB makes public the documents exchanged with the MHA
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