Home Ministry officials spoke to representatives of two major groups on Monday. (file)
New Delhi:
Weeks after protests began in Ladakh demanding statehood and protection of rights of the majority tribal population under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, the indefinite hunger strike that was scheduled to begin on Tuesday has been called off. The decision was taken after the central government on Monday met with representatives of two major bodies representing the protesters and agreed to form a joint sub-committee.
The high-powered committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) discussed the demands with the leaders of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
The hunger strike was announced by former BJP MP from Ladakh Thupstan Chhewang and education reformer and Magsaysay Award winner Sonam Wangchuk.
“It was decided that a joint sub-committee will be constituted to consider the details of statehood for Ladakh, inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and constitution of the Executive Public Service Commission for Ladakh. ,” said Mr Chhewang, who is 76.
“The meeting was positive. We informed the Center about our approach on these matters in a focused manner. We are hopeful that some positive outcomes will come out of this sub-committee,” Sajjad Kargili told NDTV.
Mr Kargili said that the people of the Union Territory are hopeful that they will get some positive news before the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct. “Ladakh is very sensitive. The two minorities have been living there for years. We hope that our demands for protection of the Sixth Schedule and statehood will be taken seriously by the government.”
The sub-committee meeting is scheduled to be held on Saturday. Asghar Ali Karbalai, working president of State Congress Committee UT (Ladakh), said, “In view of this development, we have decided to abandon our plan to go on hunger strike from tomorrow.”
The high-powered committee of the Home Ministry was constituted in December last year to discuss ways to protect the unique culture and language of Ladakh and ensure security of land and employment. It also looks at measures related to empowerment of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils of Leh and Kargil.
The new sub-committee will include Thupstan Chhewang, Charing Dorje Lakruk and Nawang Rigzin Jora. KDA will be represented by Qamar Ali Akhoon, Asghar Ali Karbalai and Sajjad Kargili.
“The names of the sub-committee members have been conveyed to Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla,” a joint release issued by both the groups said.
