LEH (Kashmir English): The Leh Apex Body (LAB), spearheading the agitation for statehood and constitutional safeguards in Ladakh, has suspended talks with the Indian government until a judicial probe into the police firing is constituted and all arrested activists, including renowned environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, are released unconditionally.
According to Kashmir Media Service, LAB chairman Thupstan Chhewang and co-chairman Chering Dorjay said in Leh that the “restoration of a conducive atmosphere” was essential before resuming dialogue.
They warned that unless New Delhi ordered a judicial probe by a retired Supreme Court judge and revoked all cases against detainees before October 6, LAB would boycott further talks.
The decision came after the cremation of a fourth victim of the September 24 firing, a retired army soldier, held under heavy restrictions in curfew-bound Leh.
The leaders blamed Indian forces, particularly the CRPF, for “excessive force, killings, and injuries,” creating an atmosphere of fear, grief, and anger.
Chhewang denounced the administration’s attempts to label protesters as “anti-national” or “foreign agents,” stressing that the people of Ladakh “will never tolerate such baseless accusations” and demanded proof.
Leh Apex Body leaders
The LAB leaders said the unrest was rooted in Delhi’s betrayal after revoking Articles 370 and 35A in 2019, which eroded Ladakhis’ rights.
They reiterated their core demands of statehood, extension of the Sixth Schedule, a separate public service commission and job cadre, and separate Lok Sabha seats.
The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) had earlier also demanded the immediate release of Wangchuk and other detainees, warning that Delhi’s refusal to accept the region’s statehood demand was “alienating” the people of Ladakh.
