Kargil observes shutdown, demands statehood for Ladakh

Shops and business establishments were closed as thousands of people marched in support of their demand for statehood and Ladakh's inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

A protest in support of activist Sonam Wangchuk in Nagpur. (PTI/File)

Weeks after the March 4 talks between representatives of different socio-political groups in Ladakh and the Ministry of Home Affairs reached an impasse over the issue of statehood, Kargil district of Ladakh region observed a shutdown protest on Wednesday.

Shops and business establishments were closed as thousands of people marched in support of their demand for statehood and Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

A high-powered panel was formed in November to address concerns of Ladakh after protests in the region following revocation of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K into two UTs in 2019. While J&K has been designated as a UT with a legislature, Ladakh UT does not have a legislative assembly.

Read | Why Ladakh climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is on ‘fast unto death’ as climate protest enters 13th day

The HPC, chaired by MoS Home Nityanand Rai, met thrice in New Delhi following which a subcommittee was formed. The subcommittee’s fourth meeting with the MHA on March 4 ended inconclusively with discussions stalling over the issue of statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the sixth schedule of the Constitution. These are part of a four-point agenda put forth by the Apex Body Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, the groups spearheading protests in the region.

The protest also extended support to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on a fast unto death in Leh. Wangchuk began his fast on March 6, after talks with the Centre failed. “Our effort is to establish democracy in Ladakh. Talks with the Centre have not been successful. We hope that the government brings back focus to our demands,” he said.

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