Religious bodies call Ladakh bandh today, Wangchuk to go on fast

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had conceded the demand of Ladakh bodies for Public Services Commission (PSC) and implementation of some parts of Sixth Schedule through elected Hill Development Councils but deadlock erupted as Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) demanded full implementation of Sixth Schedule besides Statehood during yesterday’s Sub Committee meeting as well as talks with Home Minister Amit Shah.

LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjey Lakruk told the sources, on telephone from New Delhi that there was good progress on setting up of the PSC for Ladakh though some UTs don’t have their own PSC. The Services Selection Board was set up by the UT Administration recently.

“The MHA wanted to implement some parts of Sixth Schedule indirectly while we are insisted on direct implementation of Sixth Schedule,’’ Lakruk who is still in New Delhi along with other LAB and KDA leaders said.

He said deadlock prevailed on the demands of Statehood and Sixth Schedule.
The Home Ministry had yesterday called for continuous dialogue to provide necessary Constitutional safeguards to the Union Territory of Ladakh.

Meanwhile, various religious organizations in Leh today called for Ladakh bandh tomorrow following breakdown of talks between LAB and KDA with the MHA. Several organizations have supported the bandh call.

Educationist and social reformer Sonam Wangchuk has also announced to go on fast tomorrow in protest against the failure of talks.

“A rally has also been planned in Leh tomorrow,’’ the religious organizations said.

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