Buoyed by the public response to Tuesday’s bandh call, the agitating groups in Ladakh cautioned the union government against adopting delay tactics in implementing the decisions taken during the May 22 meeting.
The agitating groups have decided to convene meetings of various organisations within a week’s time to devise a strategy for their future course of action.
President of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and Co-ordinator of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), Chhering Dorjay Lakrook, highlighted Ladakh’s strategic importance and cautioned the Union Government against what he alleged were attempts to delay or dilute commitments made to the people of Ladakh.
He reiterated the demand for constitutional safeguards and greater political empowerment for the region.
Lakrook said the organisations would announce their future course of action after holding another meeting next week.
The LBA president also criticised proposals promoting large-scale investments and luxury tourism, arguing that such projects would primarily benefit outside investors rather than local residents. He claimed that Ladakh already provides employment to a large number of outsiders and called for policies that prioritise local interests.
Thanking traders, shopkeepers, religious organisations and residents for observing the shutdown and participating in the gathering, Lakrook described the turnout as a reflection of Ladakh’s unity across religious and regional lines.
Referring to the administration’s advisory against the gathering, he stated that the programme was held despite the lack of permission and asserted that the large public participation demonstrated the people’s determination to voice their concerns peacefully.
He concluded by urging the people of Ladakh to remain united and continue their struggle for constitutional safeguards, accountability, and the protection of Ladakh’s unique identity and interests.
As reported earlier, a complete shutdown was observed across the Union Territory of Ladakh on June 23 in response to a call jointly given by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) against what they termed as delay tactics in granting constitutional safeguards to the residents of this mountainous region.
The shutdown was also observed in protest against the new excise policy announced by the Union Territory administration.
The bandh disrupted normal life across Ladakh as a large number of people participated in rallies demanding the implementation of the decisions taken during the May 22 meeting.
Shops, businesses, commercial establishments, and private institutions remained closed in most parts of the Union Territory, including Leh and Kargil, in response to the bandh call.
However, transport services, which were exempted from the strike due to the ongoing tourism season, continued to operate normally.
The two groups accused the government of widening the “trust deficit” by failing to include key understandings reached during the May 22 talks in the official Minutes of Meeting (MoM).
They also criticised the administration led by the lieutenant governor, alleging that decisions on issues such as liquor policy, land, power, transport, and tourism had been taken without consulting the local population.
The LAB and KDA have jointly spearheaded a campaign seeking statehood for Ladakh and the extension of constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule. The groups have held several rounds of talks with the government since 2021.
LAB and KDA leaders have claimed that the May 22 discussions covered a proposed democratic framework for Ladakh with legislative, executive, and financial powers, along with constitutional safeguards through a proposed Article 371-K.
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