Ladakh banks on talks to restore peace, normalcy

Ahead of scheduled discussions between the Centre and Ladakh representatives on October 22, local leaders have expressed hope that the negotiations will help the region heal from the trauma of the September 24 violence.

- Ashiq Hussain

“We are hopeful of its outcome and that is why we are going to Delhi for the talks. There is hope that something positive will come out of this,” co-chairperson of the Ladakh Apex Body (LAB), Chering Dorjay, said on Sunday.

Four people were killed and around 100 injured in clashes between demonstrators and security forces during the September 24 protests in support of full statehood and constitutional safeguards for jobs and land.

On Sunday, the LAB announced that they, along with their Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) counterparts, will be travelling to Delhi to resume talks with a ministry of home affairs (MHA) subcommittee.

The last round of talks between the two sides took place in May. A followup meeting was initially scheduled for October 6, but the LAB and KDA withdrew in the wake of the September 24 violence. Around 50 people, including climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, were arrested in connection with the incident. Wangchuk has since been booked under the stringent National Security Act and is currently lodged in Jodhpur jail.