Ladakh Groups, Centre Agree on Elected UT Body and Special Safeguards

Ladakh’s two main political groups, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), held an informal meeting with Union Home Ministry officials in Leh on Friday. The talks, described as positive, resulted in finalising the draft minutes of a previous meeting held in Delhi on May 22.

According to the finalised minutes, while statehood remains a long-term aspiration for Ladakh, a Union Territory-level elected body with executive, financial and legislative powers will be established. Additionally, constitutional safeguards for Ladakh under the framework of Article 371 were discussed, with an agreement to pursue a customised model most suitable for the region.

Friday’s meeting was attended by representatives of LAB and KDA, along with Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa and chief secretary Ashish Kundra. The talks were led by Additional MHA Secretary Prashant Sitaram Lokhande. Notably, LAB member and environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk did not attend as he was in Delhi for a protest.

The meeting aimed to resolve differences over the draft minutes of the May 22 meeting. LAB and KDA had previously called a bandh on June 23, alleging that the draft omitted agreements on a legislative body with authority over bureaucracy and constitutional safeguards similar to Article 371. Friday’s discussions focused on finalising those minutes.

“There have been instances of invoking Article 371(A to J) and it was agreed that a customised sui generis model which is most suitable for Ladakh would be adopted. It was decided that a draft proposal covering the powers and functions (executive, financial and legislative) of this UT-level elected body would be prepared for further discussion,” the minutes released by LAB and KDA stated.

Officials on both sides expressed optimism. Chief Secretary Kundra said the meeting ended on a note of consensus on the broad framework agreed upon in the May 22 meeting. MP Haneefa described it as “very fruitful”, noting that all points from the groups were included in the minutes.

LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakrook said the meeting was lengthy but reached an agreement that met most expectations. He urged central officials to expedite formal negotiations to reach a conclusion quickly. KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai echoed this, saying the talks reflected the MHA’s seriousness in addressing Ladakh’s concerns. He noted that the earlier discussion of provisions under Article 371A to 371J had evolved into a promise for the best possible constitutional safeguards through a customised model.

The agreement marks a significant step in addressing Ladakh’s demands for greater autonomy and protection of its unique cultural and geographical identity. Further formal negotiations are expected to follow.