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New Delhi, Oct 22 (IANS) An important meeting between representatives of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) along with senior officials of the Union Home Ministry is underway in Delhi on Wednesday.
The officials and leaders are likely to discuss key issues related to Ladakh, including statehood, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule and the demand for the release of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and other detained people.
The meeting, to be held at Kartavya Bhawan 3, marks the first formal interaction between the leadership of Ladakh and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) after the recent violence in Leh that left four civilians dead and around 100 others injured.
Representatives attending the meeting from the Leh apex body included Thupstan Chhewang, Charing Dorjay and Ashraf, while the Kargil Democratic Alliance was represented by Asghar Ali Karbalai, Qamar Ali Akhun and Sajjad Kargali. Ladakh MP Haji Hanifa Jaan is also contesting as a public republic.
Sources said the meeting will also discuss compensation for the families of those killed and injured during the violent clashes.
The discussion followed the Centre’s decision to order a judicial inquiry led by a former Supreme Court judge into the September 24 violence, following which the Ladakh civic bodies agreed to resume talks.
Earlier, on October 6, both LAB and KDA had refused to meet central officials citing the government’s failure to address their demands.
The eight-member MHA subcommittee includes lab chairman Thupstan Chhewang, Cherin Dorjay Lacrook, Ashraf Birch and Haji Hanifa’s lawyer Haji Mustafa.
Unrest broke out on September 24, the 15th day of Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status to Ladakh. The protesters clashed with security forces, vandalized public buildings and set a BJP office and a police vehicle on fire.
The Center later accused Wangchuk of inciting violence, invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against him and shifted him to Jodhpur jail.
–IANS
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