Centre, Ladakh bodies meetings end with no ‘concrete’ results

Sources, who were at the meeting, told The Indian Express that the ministry has refused to engage on core matters of statehood and protections under the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh. “First, the ministry officials and then the Home Minister, have refused to engage with us on the matter,” the source said.

However, according to the ministry, Shah assured the delegation that the government-appointed high-powered committee formed to look into their statehood and other demands has been discussing the modalities to provide such Constitutional safeguards.

He told the delegation that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the central government was committed to providing necessary constitutional safeguards to the Union Territory of Ladakh, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

A ministry statement said, “Home minister expressed that the consultative mechanism established through this High Powered Committee should continue to engage on issues such as measures to protect the region’s unique culture and language, protection of land and employment, inclusive development and employment generation, empowerment of LAHDCs and examine constitutional safeguards for positive outcomes.”

With this, talks with the Centre could remain suspended as the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance regroup to decide the future course of action.