Despite govt assurance, Ladakh shuts over statehood demand

Hundreds gathered at the streets in Kargil and Leh in freezing temperatures to press for the demands.

Written by Naveed Iqbal

Srinagar | Updated: February 4, 2024 01:07 PM IST

2 min read

Ladakh shuts over statehood demand, Srinagar, Ladakh, Indian express news, current affairs

People take part in the ‘Leh Chalo Andolan’ called by Kargil Democratic Alliance and Apex Body Leh, in Leh, Saturday. ANI

The Ladakh Union Territory observed a shutdown on Saturday over demands for statehood and Constitutional protection under the Sixth Schedule despite the Centre announcing second round of talks.

Hundreds gathered at the streets in Kargil and Leh in freezing temperatures to press for the demands. While the call for a protest was announced earlier this week, on Friday, the Centre announced a second round of meeting of high-powered committee set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to address the demands of the people of the region since its split from the erstwhile state of J&K.

Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), the two socio-political organisations spearheading the movement, are pursuing four main demands: statehood for Ladakh, safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, reservation of jobs for the youth of Ladakh, and the creation of separate Parliamentary constituencies for the two parts of the region — Leh and Kargil.

While the ABL and the KDA are seeking protections for the UT previously enshrined under Article 370 and 35A, sources said “anything short of Sixth Schedule would be up for discussion”.

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