SOURCE: AFI
Discontent continues to simmer in Ladakh as a strike gripped Leh district on Wednesday. This action reflects the ongoing deadlock between the central government and representatives of the region over its future status.
Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), representing various social, religious, political, and student groups from both districts, held talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and a sub-committee formed to address their demands.
At the heart of the issue lie several key demands:
- Statehood: Ladakh seeks full statehood, granting it greater autonomy and control over its affairs.
- Sixth Schedule Inclusion: The inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution would offer special protections for tribal communities, including land rights and self-governance.
- Separate Lok Sabha Seats: Separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts are desired to ensure stronger representation in the national parliament.
- Public Service Commission: The establishment of an exclusive public service commission would allow Ladakh to manage its own civil service recruitment.
The Sixth Schedule provides crucial safeguards for tribal communities, guaranteeing them a degree of autonomy over their internal affairs and protecting their traditional rights, particularly pertaining to land ownership.