Ladakh talks restart as Shah heads to Leh

Srinagar: Fresh talks between Ladakh officials and the Union Home Ministry will be held on May 22, Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena announced on May 22, as Home Minister Amit Shah prepares for a two-day visit to Leh from April 30, his first since last year’s unrest over statehood demands and Sixth Schedule safeguards.Saxena said the political dialogue sub-committee will meet with stakeholders to “advance constructive democratic dialogue” and work to find “lasting solutions” to Ladakh’s aspirations.The Leh apex body (LAB) urged Shah to engage directly with the group and workers of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), saying lower-level talks had made little progress. They sought confidence-building measures, including compensation for victims of police firing during demonstrations in Leh on September 24, 2025, and the withdrawal of cases against those arrested.“There is a need to build trust and meaningful dialogue. Dropping an NSA case is not enough,” activist Sonam Wangchuk said, referring to his detention under the law, which was later lifted on March 14. He called for ministerial talks.LAB co-chair Tsering Dorje Lakrook described the proposed May 22 meeting as “pointless” and said decisions cannot be taken at the subcommittee level. “Our demand is clear – statehood and Sixth Schedule status. It is time the government spells out what it is willing to provide,” he said.Ashraf Ali Barcha, a member of the Labor Party, recalled that preliminary talks in 2021 were chaired by the Shah himself and led to the establishment of a high-level committee. “Now we are told that discussions will take place at the subcommittee level. That is no longer necessary… It is time for a decision to be taken,” he said.Dialogue between Ladakh groups and the Center has been ongoing since 2023 to discuss statehood requirements and constitutional guarantees under the Sixth Schedule. Negotiations on May 27 last year agreed on a settlement policy but later stalled due to political tensions.On September 24, security forces opened fire on protesters in Leh, killing at least four people and injuring more than 80 people. Wangchuck was detained days later, prompting LAB and KDA to withdraw from negotiations.Ladakh was separated from J&K following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, but still does not have a legislative assembly, triggering demands for a full state and sixth schedule protection to safeguard land, culture and autonomy.