LEH, November 2 — The Leh Apex Body (LAB) has convened a meeting on November 3 to discuss its future course of action after receiving no further communication from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) or the Ladakh Administration following the inconclusive round of talks held on October 15.
LAB chairman Chering Dorjay Lakruk said there had been no contact with the MHA since the sub-committee meeting in Leh, during which both sides had failed to reach an agreement on key demands concerning an elected Union Territory-level body and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh.
Lakruk said the stakeholders had been informed that the next round of discussions would take place in New Delhi on October 22. However, no formal invitation was received, and there had been no subsequent communication from either the Centre or the UT Administration.
The LAB meeting on November 3 will be followed by a joint sitting with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) to discuss the next course of action. Both organisations are expected to review the status of negotiations and consider their response to the continued delay in resuming talks.
The October 15 meeting had remained inconclusive after disagreements emerged over the proposed structure and powers of the UT-level elected body. According to the LAB and KDA, the discussions encountered a major hurdle over the question of whether the head of the proposed body would have the authority to write the Annual Confidential Report (ACR) of the Chief Secretary.
The two organisations maintained that the position differed from the understanding reached with the Centre during an earlier meeting on May 22 in New Delhi. The discussions had included an in-principle understanding on restoring democratic representation in Ladakh and providing constitutional safeguards broadly on the lines of Articles 371A, 371F and 371G.
The proposed UT-level elected institution is expected to have legislative, executive and financial powers. The framework is intended to address longstanding demands concerning local representation and protection of Ladakh's land, culture, heritage and natural resources.
Following the October 15 meeting, the LAB and KDA submitted responses to seven queries raised by the MHA. However, both organisations reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the draft proposal presented by the Centre, describing it as falling short of their expectations regarding the proposed institution and constitutional safeguards.
Meanwhile, the Ladakh Administration is preparing for Panchayat and Municipal elections scheduled for November 21. Elections to the eight Autonomous Hill Development Councils are also expected to follow, potentially in March-April 2027.
The November 3 discussions between the LAB and KDA are likely to determine whether the organisations seek an early resumption of negotiations through a fresh appeal or consider further steps, including renewed public agitation, to press their demands.
