LAB, KDA raise all issues; MP says MHA serious, sincere
*Compensation for dead, injured, release of detainees sought
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Oct 22: Stalled dialogue between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and representatives of Ladakh resumed today after nearly five months in New Delhi in which the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) raised their two major issues-the Statehood and Sixth Schedule status besides compensation for the families of dead and injured in September 24 violence, revocation of NSA slapped on climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and release of all detainees from the jails.
The meeting held in New Delhi lasted one and a half hour and was attended by senior officers of the MHA, Ladakh administration, three representatives each from LAB and KDA, Ladakh Lok Sabha members Hanifa Jan and CEC-cum-Chairpersons of both Leh and Kargil Hill Development Councils, among others.
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Insiders told the Excelsior that the meeting was held in cordial atmosphere and representatives of LAB and KDA raised their all issues and stressed for time-bound convening of meetings and resolution of their demands.
The MHA officers reportedly assured the LAB and KDA that the Sub Committee meeting, held today, will be shortly followed by the High Powered Committee (HPC) meeting either in first or second week of November.
“As Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, who heads the HPC, will be busy in Bihar elections, a State he represents, the meeting is expected to be held either in the beginning of November or after November 11, the polling date for Bihar,” they said.
Briefing reporters after the Sub-Committee meeting, Independent MP from Ladakh Hanifa Jan said the MHA appeared “serious and sincere” in the meeting and a hope has emerged about resolution of the issues raised by the Ladakh representatives.
“We raised our all issues with open heart and mind including Statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. Going by the meeting, a hope has emerged about resolution of our issues,” Jan said but admitted that they can’t expect much in just one meeting.
The MP said besides Statehood and Sixth Schedule status, they raised the issue of September 24 violence in Leh and demanded release of all detainees in jails, revoking NSA slapped on Sonam Wangchuk and compensation for the families of all those dead and injured.
Four civilians were killed and 90 others including some security personnel were injured in September 24 violence which took place during bandh called by LAB youth wing demanding pre-ponement of talks with the MHA as crowd turned violence and torched offices of Leh Hill Council, the Bharatiya Janata Party office and some vehicles.
Replying to a question on the next meeting of High Powered Committee, Jan expressed confidence that it will be held soon and the MHA will announce the date shortly.
“The meeting was held with speakers raising issues with open mind. The MHA appears to be serious and sincere on the issues of Ladakh. The beginning has been very good. We hope both the parties will reach consensus,” Hanifa Jan said.
Talks between the Centre, LAB and KDA had broken down after September 24 violence. Both the Ladakh organizations stayed away from the dialogue with the High-Powered Committee of the MHA slated for October 6.
The invitation for the talks had been made by the Centre on September 20. The last round of talks between the two sides was held on May 27.
On October 17, the MHA announced a judicial inquiry headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge into the violent clashes of September 24 in Leh.
According to a notification issued by the MHA, the judicial probe, to be headed by Justice B S Chauhan, a former Judge of the Supreme Court, is mandated to investigate the “circumstances leading to the serious law and order situation, the police action and the resultant unfortunate deaths of four people”.
Retired District and Sessions Judge Mohan Singh Parihar will function as judicial Secretary, while IAS officer Tushar Anand will be the Administrative Secretary of the inquiry Commission.
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