Statehood, sixth Schedule for Ladakh | Leh observes bandh on call of religious bodies in support of demands

Kargil, Mar 6: A complete bandh was today observed in Lehand its adjoining areas on the call of religious bodies in support of the demands including statehood and implementation of the sixth schedule for Ladakh.

The bandh was observed two days after the sub- committee members comprising of the leaders from Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) termed the meeting with the officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi, as inconclusive with no positive outcome

The bandh call was given by the religious bodies of Leh in support of the four demands raised by the LAB and KDA including Statehood for Ladakh, Constitutional Safeguards under Sixth Schedule of the Constitution for Ladakh, full fledged PSC and employment opportunities for Ladakh youth.

The bandh was observed in Leh, and a rally was held at NDS stadium where different member of religious and political organisation took part. In the rally, the Leh Apex Body member Tsering Dorjay Lakrook and the prominent environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk addressed the gathering. The rally was attended by thousands of men and women. On the end of the rally a hunger strike also began under the leadership of Sonam Wangchuk.

Sources said that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had conceded the demand of Ladakh bodies for Public Services Commission (PSC) and implementation of some parts of Sixth Schedule through elected Hill Development Councils but deadlock erupted as Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) demanded full implementation of Sixth Schedule besides Statehood during the recent Sub Committee meeting..

The Home Ministry had called for continuous dialogue to provide necessary Constitutional safeguards to the Union Territory of Ladakh.