Ladakh leaders, MHA officials hold meeting

Representatives from Ladakh, including members of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), on Wednesday met with officials from the ministry of home affairs (MHA) in New Delhi in the first meeting between the two sides following the September 24 violence that claimed the lives of four people, people aware of the details said.

- Smriti Kak Ramachandran and Mir Ehsan

“Today's meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and remained inconclusive. We will be meeting again very soon...” LAB co-convener Chering Dorjay Lakruk said. “We are very much positive about these talks.”

During the meeting, which came nearly three weeks after talks between the two sides were called off, the Ladakh representatives pushed for their demand for restoration of statehood; implementation of Sixth Schedule in the Union Territory; release of all arrested leaders, including climate activist Sonam Wangchuk; and sought compensation for the families of the deceased and those injured in the violence.