Koshur Samachar

Protesters reiterate demand for Statehood, 6th Schedule
Will wait for Centre response before next course of action: Lakruk

Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Mar 16: Leh and Kargil towns today observed massive rallies in response to calls given by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) to press the Centre for early resumption of talks on their demands for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh even as there was no response from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on extending invitation to twin bodies of Ladakh for further dialogue, which was last held on February 4.

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The rallies were held under strict police surveillance in both Leh and Kargil districts in the wake of September 24, 2025 violence during protest in Leh in which four civilians were killed and 90 others including many security personnel were injured. However, rallies at both the places passed off peacefully today with address by senior leaders of LAB and KDA in Leh and Kargil districts respectively.

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After the rallies, LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakruk told the Excelsior that they haven’t received any message from the MHA so far for fresh talks.
“We will wait for the response from MHA before taking a call on future course of action,’’ he said.
It was the first major rally by LAB since violence had erupted during protests on September 24, prompting a clampdown by authorities, and came two days after Wangchuk was released by the Centre after nearly six months in detention under the National Security Act (NSA). Wangchuk was detained under the NSA two days after September 24 violence that left four civilians dead and many others injured in firing by police and paramilitary personnel in which a judicial probe is going on.
Director General of Police of Ladakh, Mukesh Singh, visited the rally site at Singay Namgyal Chowk in Leh to take stock of the security arrangements, with additional police and security personnel deployed across the town to maintain law and order.
Some of the participants were also seen carrying pictures of the four persons who were killed in firing after a LAB-sponsored protest rally turned violent in September.
The LAB and KDA had called the protest before Wangchuk’s release to demand the next round of talks with the Union Home Ministry, as promised during the High-Powered Committee meeting.

The last round of talks was held on February 4. During the meeting, both groups had demanded that Wangchuk be freed and 70 other detainees be released unconditionally.
Led by LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay, the protesters started from the Singay Namgyal Chowk and marched to Leh polo ground with participants, including a sizeable number of women, chanting slogans in support of the demands for Statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule.
Though the LAB hadn’t given call for shutdown by the shopkeepers, almost all shops were closed in Leh town and other routes during the rally and address by the LAB leaders.
A similar rally was also held in Kargil town. Kargil and adjoining Drass observed a complete shutdown with all shops and business establishment closed. Only few vehicles were seen on the roads.
KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai and Member of Parliament Haneefa Jan among others addressed the gathering and reiterated the demands for Statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion, besides seeking the release of two jailed activists and the revocation of cases in connection with last year’s violence in Leh.
Talking to reporters in Leh, LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakruk thanked the people for turning up in large numbers for the rally despite the barricading of roads and imposition of restrictions by the administration.
“I would like to congratulate the people of Ladakh for maintaining complete peace despite strong provocation,” the LAB leader said, terming the rally a “big success”.
He said there are some people who try to claim that the Apex Body has no public support.
“Today, the people of Ladakh have demonstrated that the public stands with the Apex Body and the KDA,” he added.
Wangchuk, a prominent leader of the agitation, was detained under the NSA in September for allegedly instigating violence during the protests.
The Centre on Saturday announced that it was revoking the detention of Wangchuk to “facilitate constructive and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders”.

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