Kamal Ghorui
SRINAGAR: Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) rejected a proposal for a territorial or regional council for Ladakh and reiterated its demand for statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards after meeting lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena during his recent visit to Kargil.KDA, an amalgam of political and religious groups, said it remains open to fresh proposals from Centre and urged resumption of talks that have stalled since Feb. KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai said Saxena conveyed he was speaking on behalf of Union home ministry.“We said statehood and Sixth Schedule are our goals. We rejected proposal for a territorial council. If there is any other proposal, we are ready to discuss it,” Karbalai said Wednesday.Ladakh was carved out of J&K and made a Union territory on Oct 31, 2019, following reorganisation of the former state. Region comprises Muslim-majority Kargil and predominantly Buddhist Leh. Both districts are governed by elected autonomous councils handling local administration, while overall governance rests with the LG appointed by Centre, without a legislative assembly — a structure that has driven demands for full statehood and constitutional safeguards under Sixth Schedule.Karbalai said home ministry had promised another round of talks within 10–15 days after a Feb 4 meeting. “That meeting has not happened so far,” he said.KDA’s Sajjad Kargili said protests could resume if talks do not restart. “We also do not desire to take such steps. But if dialogue is not resumed what can we do?” he said.Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil chief executive councillor M Jaffer Akhoon said KDA also sought release of those arrested after protests on Sept 24, 2025, when police firing in Leh left at least four dead and over 80 wounded during demonstrations for statehood and Sixth Schedule.First round of talks between home ministry panel and Ladakhi representatives from Leh Apex Body and KDA was held in New Delhi on Oct 22 last year after Centre ordered a judicial inquiry into Sept 24 firing. Latest round on Feb 4 remained inconclusive, and Ladakhi brass have since been pressing for another meeting.
