Talks between Ladakh representatives and the central government ended in March without any concrete results. | File Photo: PTI
The Leh Apex Body (LAB) on Saturday announced a foot march from Leh to Delhi next month to urge the Centre to resume the stalled dialogue with Ladakh leaders on its four-point agenda.
The LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), both splinter groupings of various political, social and religious organisations, have jointly spearheaded an agitation for the past four years in support of statehood, extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, an early recruitment process along with a public service commission for Ladakh and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.
Talks between Ladakh representatives and the central government ended in March without any concrete results.
Announcing the peaceful march from Leh to the national capital, LAB co-president Chering Dorjey Lakruk said a minimum of 100 volunteers accompanied by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk will begin walking from Leh on September 1 and reach Delhi on Gandhi Jayanti on October 2.
However, there will be a change in dates if the number of volunteers remains below 100, but the march will definitely take place, Lakruk said.
“The decision to hold the march was taken at the apex body meeting two days ago. Given the peak season for agriculture and tourism, there is a possibility of fewer volunteers. We appeal to all sections of society to join the march,” he said.
Wangchuk, who was also present at the press conference, said the Ladakhis were hopeful that the central government, after settling in for the third term, would continue dialogue with their representatives.
“Through this march, we follow in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi because we believe in his doctrine of non-violence. We fight for our causes that are justified, democratic and safeguard the environment,” he said.
“We want the nation to hear our voice and we also want to impress the government to keep its promises and resume dialogue with our leaders,” he said.
Asked about his plan to go on another round of hunger strike, he said if the Ladakhi leaders were not called for dialogue on the four-point agenda, he would have no option but to take the extreme step once again.
“LAB has decided not to go on hunger strike for the time being in order to give the government more time. We are also prepared for this,” Wangchuk added.
Another LAB member, Sheikh Nazir, appealed for volunteers to join the march in large numbers and said KDA representatives will join them when they cross into Himachal Pradesh as Jammu and Kashmir heads for assembly elections next month.
He said that they will meet BJP leaders in Ladakh and invite them for the march as well.
Following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, Ladakh, which shares a border with Pakistan and China, was established as a Union Territory without a legislature.
(Only the headline and image of this report may have been reworked by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
First published: August 24, 2024 | 10:02 PM IS
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