'No Peace, No Talks With Centre': Leh Apex Body's Message After Ladakh Violence
'No Peace, No Talks With Centre': Leh Apex Body's Message After Ladakh Violence
The Leh Apex Body on Monday gave an ultimatum to the Centre that it will not hold any talks until peace prevails in Ladakh. Talks between the two sides were scheduled for October 6.
The Leh Apex Body (LAB), which along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) is spearheading the agitation for statehood to Ladakh and other constitutional provisions, directly addressed Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Union Territory administration.
“Till there is no peace in Ladakh, we wouldn't participate in any rounds of talks with the Centre," said LAB chairman Thupstan Chhewang during a press conference. “We appeal to Amit Shah and the administration to douse the atmosphere of fear in Ladakh. Till necessary steps aren't taken we wouldn't participate in talks."
It asked the Centre to prove “Pakistan or foreign hand" in the Ladakh protests, which had turned into violent clashes resulting in the death of four persons on September 24.
Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta will be reviewing the security situation in a meeting even as curfew remains in force for the sixth day.
“The situation remained by and large peaceful in the curfew-bound areas with no untoward incident reported from anywhere. Police and paramilitary forces are deployed in strength in sensitive areas and are maintaining strict vigil to maintain law and order," an official was quoted by news agency PTI.
The official said Gupta has convened a high-level meeting at Raj Bhavan to review the overall security situation in view of the last rites of ex-serviceman Tsewang Tharchin of Skurbuchan and Rinchen Dadul (21) of Hanu later in the day.
The last rites of two youngsters – Stanzin Namgyal (24) and Jigmet Dorjay (25) – were performed on Sunday (September 28). All four were killed in the widespread violence.
Officials said mobile internet services continue to remain suspended in Leh town, while prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more persons are also in force in other major parts of the UT, including Kargil.
The curfew was imposed on September 24 evening following the protests during a shutdown called by the LAB to advance talks with the Centre on the demands for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh. More than 150 persons, including at least 80 police personnel, were also injured in the clashes.
More than 60 persons, including two councillors, were taken into custody. They include activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was detained under the National Security Act (NSA), on September 26 and subsequently lodged in Rajasthan's Jodhpur jail.
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Curfew was relaxed for four hours in a phased manner in the town on September 27 and the relaxation period was peaceful.
(With agency inputs)
Source: News18
Related Posts: Ladakh statehood, Leh Apex Body, Kargil Democratic Alliance, Ladakh protests, constitutional provisions Ladakh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Ladakh peace talks
