Leh: The Leh Apex Body (LAB) on Monday announced that it will boycott the upcoming round of talks with the Centre, demanding an impartial judicial probe into the September 24 firing incident in Leh that left four people dead and nearly 90 others injured. The talks, scheduled for October 6, were to include representatives from the Centre, LAB, and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).

Demand for judicial inquiry and apology

The LAB, which along with the KDA is leading the agitation for Ladakh’s statehood and constitutional safeguards, said that the violent turn of events had shaken the region. Leaders accused the Union Territory administration of mishandling the protests and called for accountability.

“The way bullets were fired, and many were injured, there should be some accountability… This is a big example of why we need democracy,” said Sajjad Kargili, a KDA leader, emphasising the demand for an impartial judicial inquiry.

The LAB also demanded an apology from the Centre for branding Ladakhi protestors as “anti-national” and “playing in Pakistan’s hands”. Leaders argued that such accusations were unfair and only deepened the sense of alienation in the region.

Sonam Wangchuk’s arrest intensifies protests

The arrest of climate activist and prominent Ladakh statehood campaigner Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA) has further fuelled public anger. He has been shifted to Jodhpur jail, with supporters alleging that his detention is an attempt to suppress legitimate democratic demands.

“Very few people knew about the struggles of Ladakh, but after the arrest of Sonam Wangchuk, this issue and the demands of Ladakh have reached every home in the country,” said Kargili.

Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, strongly rejected allegations linking him to Pakistan or inciting violence. “He has been protesting in the most Gandhian way possible. The escalation was triggered only after CRPF action. Who gave the CRPF the right to open fire on their own people, on their own youth?” she asked.

Statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards

The agitation for Ladakh’s statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule has been ongoing since 2019, when Ladakh was carved out as a Union Territory following the abrogation of Article 370. Protest leaders say that the UT administration has failed to address the aspirations of the people.

“The people of Ladakh are the strength of this country. They should not be pushed to the wall. A sense of alienation, betrayal, is increasing among the people of Ladakh,” said Kargili, warning the Centre against ignoring the region’s demands.

Next steps in the dialogue

With the LAB’s decision to withdraw from the October 6 talks, uncertainty looms over the Centre’s dialogue with Ladakh’s leadership. The KDA has also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Wangchuk and others detained during the September 24 violence.

Observers believe that the boycott could harden the standoff between the Centre and Ladakh leaders. The agitation has already drawn national attention, and leaders in Ladakh warn that without meaningful dialogue, the unrest could deepen.

Conclusion

The firing incident in Leh has become a flashpoint in Ladakh’s long-running demand for statehood and constitutional safeguards. The boycott by the Leh Apex Body underlines growing discontent in the region and raises questions over the Centre’s approach. How the October 6 dialogue unfolds will be a critical test of whether the government can address Ladakh’s concerns or risk further alienation of its people.