Sit, talk, resolve: Ladakh LG’s message to agitators

Ladakh Lt. Governor Kavinder Gupta urged the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) to reconsider staying away from talks with the Centre, saying that “any issue can be resolved only by sitting across the table.”

The agitation began after violence erupted in Leh on September 24 during protests demanding statehood for Ladakh and Sixth Schedule safeguards. Four people died, and over 50 protesters, including activist Sonam Wangchuk, were detained, some under the NSA.

Lt.Governer Gupta said a magisterial probe into the violence is already announced and will begin soon. Partial normalcy has returned to curfew-bound Leh, with shops reopening and business hours extended from 10 am to 6 pm. Mobile internet remains suspended, and prohibitory orders restricting assembly of five or more people are still in effect.

The planned dialogue on October 6 between Ladakh representatives and the Ministry of Home Affairs hit a roadblock after LAB and KDA suspended talks until a conducive atmosphere is restored. The LG urged all stakeholders, including youths and religious bodies, to come forward for dialogue.

On criticism by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Gupta said he was trying to “vitiate the atmosphere” in Ladakh, citing similar actions during farmers’ protests.