In-principle understanding reached with Centre, say Ladakh groups

New Delhi: The Centre has proposed a fresh framework aimed at granting Ladakh greater legislative, financial and administrative authority within the existing Union Territory structure, according to a joint statement issued by civil society representatives after a key meeting with Union government officials.

A delegation comprising members of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) met officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs, along with Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, on Friday to discuss the future political and administrative structure of the Union Territory.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had earlier been released from detention under the National Security Act (NSA) on March 14, also attended the meeting.

In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the LAB and KDA said that they had reached an “in-principle understanding” with the Government of India regarding the restoration of democratic governance in Ladakh and the provision of constitutional safeguards similar to those available under Articles 371A, 371F and 371G, which apply to Nagaland, Sikkim and Mizoram, respectively.

“Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) today reached an In-Principle Understanding with the Government of India on restoring democracy in Ladakh and providing constitutional safeguards on the lines of article 371 A, F, and G,” the statement said.

During the discussions, representatives of both the LAB and KDA reiterated the long-standing demands of Ladakh’s people concerning restoration of democracy, constitutional protections, statehood, and Sixth Schedule status for the region.

The delegation said the meeting reflected a collective effort by all stakeholders to move towards an inclusive and sustainable governance model for Ladakh.

According to the statement, detailed and constructive deliberations led both sides to arrive at an in-principle understanding on several key aspects concerning governance and administrative powers in the Union Territory.

“In this model, the legislative, executive and financial powers will rest with elected representatives through a Union Territory-level legislative body,” the delegation stated.

The proposed framework also envisages bringing all bureaucrats of the Union Territory, including the Chief Secretary, under the executive authority of an elected UT-level administration headed by a proposed Chief Minister.

The delegation further said that officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs explained that the primary reason Ladakh could not presently be granted full statehood was the region’s inadequate revenue generation capacity to independently meet revenue expenditures such as salaries and administrative costs.

However, according to the delegation, the proposed arrangement is expected to gradually pave the way for eventual statehood once Ladakh fulfils the required revenue benchmarks.

The LAB and KDA stated that they would continue to work closely with the Home Ministry and constitutional experts to finalise the finer operational and legal details of the proposed framework.

Since 2020, both the KDA and LAB have consistently demanded constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, including Statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to protect the region’s tribal identity and cultural heritage.

Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union Territory in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The talks between Ladakhi civil society groups and the Union government had earlier stalled after violence broke out in Leh city on September 24, 2025, during which four persons, including a Kargil war veteran, were killed in police firing.

The last meeting of the high-powered committee headed by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai had also remained inconclusive.

The latest round of discussions comes after the release of Sonam Wangchuk from detention under the NSA in March and the April 26 announcement by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Saxena approving the notification of five new districts — Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass.

The creation of these new districts had earlier been announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in August 2024.

IANS