Sonam Wangchuk urges Govt to restart Ladakh talks as distrust deepens

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk recently called on the central government to urgently resume dialogue with Ladakh’s key socio-political groups, warning that prolonged inaction is eroding trust and fuelling divisions in the sensitive border region.

Talks between the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the two principal Ladakh-based bodies — the Apex Body Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance — have remained deadlocked since violence erupted in Leh in September last year, leaving four people dead in police firing. Wangchuk himself was detained under the National Security Act following the unrest and spent six months in a Jodhpur jail.

Describing the current situation as one “hanging between trust and mistrust,” Wangchuk said the revocation of his detention had initially raised hopes of a renewed engagement. According to him, the government had indicated a willingness to “correct past mistakes” and rebuild mutual trust through constructive dialogue.

However, more than two months after the last round of talks on February 4, no further meeting has been scheduled. “Not even a date for the next round of talks has been announced,” Wangchuk noted, cautioning that the vacuum is being exploited by “shady entities” to widen the Leh–Kargil divide.

The February 4 meeting of the High-Powered Committee, constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, ended without a breakthrough, and no timeline was set for continuing discussions — further deepening the stalemate.

Public frustration has since spilled onto the streets. In March, protests swept across Ladakh following a shutdown call by the Kargil Democratic Alliance, which is demanding greater democratic representation for the region.

KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai underscored the growing impatience, stating that the people of Ladakh “will not sit quietly” and will continue their struggle for constitutional safeguards, including statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule.

Karbalai pointed out that despite more than 15 meetings since 2020 between the Centre and Ladakhi representatives, discussions have repeatedly ended without concrete outcomes. He also said the government had promised another round of talks within 15 days of the February 4 meeting — a commitment that remains unfulfilled.

As discontent simmers, Wangchuk urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene decisively.

“With people in this sensitive border region growing disheartened and demoralized, timely measures are needed in national interest to resolve the issues at the earliest,” he said.