New Delhi, Oct 22: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has accused the Centre of going back on the understanding reached with the agitating Ladakh groups in May, saying the failure to hold a proposed meeting on Thursday had once again dashed hopes in the region.
At a press conference in Delhi, Wangchuk said the representatives of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)had prepared for the next round of discussions on October 22 after the October 15 meeting in Leh, where they submitted their draft to the Union Home Ministry and received the ministry’s proposal in return.
The two drafts were compared point by point, with the expectation that differences would be discussed at the next meeting, he said.
“I had already booked my tickets. We made our plans accordingly, but now they are saying the meeting is not happening,” Wangchuk said, describing the development as another betrayal of trust.
The May 22 meeting had raised hopes of a democratic framework for Ladakh, he said. The representatives had initially sought statehood but, after being told that the region lacked the resources for it, proposed a Union Territory with a legislature and constitutional safeguards, Wangchuk said.
“We are saying again that nothing less than a Union Territory with a legislature and safeguards will be acceptable,” he said.
Wangchuk said Ladakh’s strategic position on the border with China made its democratic rights particularly important.
“China is claiming Ladakh as its territory. We condemn that. But do not crush Ladakh under your feet,” he said, warning the government against weakening the border region through its own decisions.
The May 22 meeting between representatives of LAB and KDA, and the MHA sub-committee had focused on constitutional protection for Ladakh, democratic representation and the long-pending demand for statehood. (PTI)