Ladakh-Centre dialogue set to resume on Oct 22

Crucial talks between the Centre and Ladakh representatives, which were called off nearly three weeks ago, are set to resume on October 22, people aware of the matter said on Saturday, raising hopes of an end to months-long deadlock.

- Ashiq Hussain and Smriti Kak Ramachandran

The eight-member delegation will include members of the region's two main organisations—the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)—along with Ladakh MP Mohd Haneefa Jan and lawyer Haji Mustafa. According to LAB co-chairperson Chering Dorjay Lakruk, the team will meet a ministry of home affairs (MHA) subcommittee in Delhi, with the focus on restoring statehood and securing safeguards under the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule, which provides a degree of autonomy.

“We were informed by the home ministry that a meeting of the subcommittee is scheduled for October 22, and both LAB and KDA are invited to it. We welcome the decision of the government to invite us and look forward to the positive outcome of the dialogue,” Lakruk said.

KDA chief Sajjad Kargili said they agreed to meet the Centre to end the impasse that has gripped the strategically situated UT.

"We decided to attend the sub-committee meeting because we want to end the deadlock.

Home minister Amit Shah's statement that the government wants a solution is a positive development. We hope the government will meet the aspirations of the people of Ladakh and implement the Sixth Schedule," Kargili said.