After Accusing Wangchuk of Violence, Centre Has Portrayed Protestors ‘Anti-national’, Provoking Leaders to Take Strict Decision

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In a major political pushback, the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) has stepped away from further talks with the Centre, citing the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and other protestors. The KDA leaders demand their immediate release as a precondition, along with a judicial probe against police firing in Leh, for any peaceful talks with the centre.

Sonam Wangchuk is currently in the Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan under the National Security Act that allows detention without trial for up to 12 months at a time.

KDA’s Demands

Addressing the media, KDA co-chairperson Asgar Ali Karbalai said, “We will not be part of any discussions with the Centre until Sonam Wangchuk is released, arrests are stopped, and a judicial inquiry into the September 24 incident is initiated.”

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Supporting the decision of Apex Body Leh (ABL), which earlier suspended dialogue with the Centre, the KDA said a “conducive atmosphere must be restored in Ladakh before any talks can continue.”

"KDA dismisses all allegations of the UT administration and MHA, and we want to tell them that Sonam Wangchuk, who is a hero of the country, should be immediately released," Karbalai added further.

Govt. Called Ladakhi Protestors Anti-national

Condemning the government’s portrayal of Ladakhi protesters as 'anti-national,' Karbalai said, it is “an insult to those who have long contributed to national service.” 

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“We don’t need certificates of patriotism. Stop branding Ladakhis as anti-national,” he added.

Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa also claimed that the locals were upset with the denunciatory term being used for them.

ABL & KDA’s Role in Ladakh’s Development 

Reportedly, the mutual talks between ABL and KDA “have yielded good results till date in the form of increased reservations to the Scheduled Tribes of Ladakh, providing women's reservation in LAHDCs and protection to local languages. The process of recruitment for 1800 posts in the government has already commenced in the UT of Ladakh.”

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In demand of statehood and preponing the proposed talks with the Centre on the extension of the Sixth Schedule, the youth wing of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) began protests across the union territory. The clashes between security forces and protesters during a shutdown in Leh left four dead and dozens injured on September 24. Including the activist, more than 50 people were detained under the National Security Act (NSA) and sent to Jodhpur Central Jail.

The joint stance taken by the Kargil Democratic Alliance and Apex Body Leh indicates a major escalation in the ongoing unrest in Ladakh, pressurizing the Centre to ease tensions by releasing arrested people and initiating a probe against the police as crucial steps to rebuild trust and resume effective communication on the region’s future.