New Delhi: A six-member delegation from the Union Territory of Ladakh met Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence in Delhi today. Civil society leaders said that their talks with Home Minister Amit Shah failed.
From some time, the local people of Ladakh are feeling that they are becoming weak in their area and the influence of bureaucracy is continuously increasing. The local people of Ladakh fear that industrialists will come to Ladakh and exploit Ladakh for their profits. Will ruin it and the government is in collusion with the industrialists. Due to which, in recent times, there have been continuous movements in Ladakh demanding statehood and people are on the streets.
Former BJP MP Thupstan Chhewang, who also heads the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), is leading the talks. “We met Amit Shah at his residence but he clearly said that statehood cannot be given or guaranteed under the Sixth Schedule,” Charing Dorjay Lakruk, senior vice president of the Ladakh Buddhist Association, told NDTV. And that’s why the talks failed.”
According to Mr Lakruk, he had come to Delhi on the invitation of the Home Ministry for the third round of talks. “We initially met Home Ministry officials and then went to meet Amit Shah at his residence,” he said.
After meeting Amit Shah, Ladakh leaders said talks have failed for the state. Leaders of Ladakh had earlier also discussed the issue of the state with the Centre.
The Home Ministry said in a press statement, “Amit Shah assured the delegation that the government under the leadership of PM Modi is committed to providing necessary constitutional security to the Union Territory of Ladakh.” He assured that the High Powered Committee on Ladakh. Discussing ways and means to provide such constitutional safeguards.”
The Home Minister expressed that the consultation mechanism established through this high-powered committee should work on issues such as measures to protect the unique culture and language of the region, security of land and employment, inclusive growth and employment generation, empowerment of LAHDCs, and scrutiny. Should continue. Constitutional safeguards for positive outcomes,” it added.
Ladakh-based climate activist Sonam Wangchuk had last week said she would go on a fast unto death in sub-zero temperatures if talks with home ministry officials failed. Sonam Wangchuk said that the government does not want to ensure constitutional protection for Ladakh under the influence of the industrial lobby.
The Ladakh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance have jointly demanded statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule – giving it tribal status, job reservations for locals, and one parliamentary constituency each for Leh and Kargil. The seat has been given.
The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 of the Constitution protects the tribal population, allowing the creation of autonomous development councils to make laws on land, public health and agriculture. As of now, 10 autonomous councils exist in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
