A month after four persons, including a Kargil war veteran, were killed in police action against protestors seeking Ladakhi Statehood, civil society groups resumed talks on the region’s status with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials on Wednesday.
The MHA officials indicated to the two groups — the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) — that special provisions guaranteed under Article 371 of the Constitution can be considered for Ladakh, people who attended the meeting told The Hindu.
However, both groups said they continued to demand inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which recognises tribal status and provides a measure of autonomy and self-governance. They also continued to demand the release of Sonam Wangchuk and other protesters detained after last month’s violence in Leh.
Article 371 deals with “Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions”, and exists under Part XXI of the Constitution. It is currently applicable in 12 States: Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim, and Karnataka.
Cherring Dorjay Lakruk, co-convenor of the LAB and the president of the influential Ladakh Buddhist Association, said the civil society groups were still holding out for Statehood. “It was indicated to us by MHA officials that Article 371 can be considered for Ladakh, but we were adamant on inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The officials heard us patiently, took notes of our demands, and said they will come back to us soon. No assurance was given as they also need time to discuss,” he said.
“We strongly demanded the release of Sonam Wangchuk and other detainees without any conditions. We also asked the MHA officials to provide compensation to the families of the four men killed in police firing and also to those injured during the incident,” Mr. Lakruk said.
“It was suggested by the Ministry that safeguards available under Article 371 can be explored. However, we have demanded Sixth Schedule,” confirmed Sajjad Kargili of the KDA.
The sub-committee is expected to meet again in the next ten-days, following which the high-powered committee led by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai will also meet.
