Panel says Leh conducts probe in fair manner, Ladakh groups seek update

SRINAGAR: The Leh apex body (LAB) has announced a rally, alleging delays in talks with the Center and accusing the judicial committee probing the dismissal of Leh policemen from submitting a report. Days later, the committee said on Tuesday that the investigation was being conducted in a fair and transparent manner.On September 24, 2025, four protesters demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status (semi-autonomous) for Ladakh were killed in police firing.At a press conference in Leh, the committee’s joint secretary Rigzin Spalgon said an announcement has been issued inviting individuals to submit affidavits to the panel. “In response, the committee received and reviewed numerous affidavits from the public and officials representing various branches of government,” he said.“As of December 2025, a total of 22 administrative witnesses have been examined. The investigation resumed in March 2026 and 18 administrative witnesses have been examined to date. In addition, 45 public affidavits have been submitted.”Spalgon said the committee is currently reviewing the affidavit submitted by the government. “Once this phase is completed, we will continue to examine public and civil witnesses and their testimonies will be recorded as part of the ongoing judicial process,” he said.Spagon stressed that the investigation was conducted in a fair, transparent and systematic manner.On Sunday, the Labor Party announced a rally in Ladakh on March 16. Labor Party co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakrook told a press conference in Leh that the findings of the committee headed by former Supreme Court judge BS Chauhan are yet to be made public. “We were hoping the report would be out by now, but there’s been no progress,” La Crook said.The Union Home Ministry had set up a committee in October last year to investigate the September 24 dismissals in Leh. The ministry said a “serious law and order situation” occurred in Leh on September 24, leading to police action and loss of life. It announced a judicial inquiry, headed by Judge Chauhan, into the circumstances leading up to the incident and police actions.The inquiry was announced following a request from Ladakh’s two main political groups, the Labrador Party and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, to set up the committee as a prerequisite for resuming dialogue with the Centre.After the announcement, the Center resumed talks with the two groups in New Delhi on October 22, 2025. On February 4 this year, Ladakh leaders held another round of talks with the high committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs, but no breakthrough was achieved.