Delhi, October 01: As the veteran Ladakhi leaders including Member of Parliament Mohd Haneefa, former MLA Asgar Ali Karbalai, Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk and other padyatris arrested by Delhi Police, the Ladakhi leaders addressed a presser at Press Club of India.

In a press note the leaders stated, “We, the people of Ladakh, express our deep concern and disappointment over the government’s decision to prevent the Padyatris, including environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk and members of the Apex Body Leh, from entering Delhi after a month-long peaceful march.

“Alongside Sonam Wangchuk, prominent leaders from Ladakh, such as Kargil Democratic Alliance Co-Chairman and former MLA Haji Asgar Ali Karbalai, Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC Kargil, Mohd Jaffar Akhone, and Ladakh’s Member of Parliament Mohd Haneefa, have also been detained. This situation has caused deep anguish and unrest within the Ladakhi community.

“The march was organized to advocate for the four-point demands that the government had promised to address. Despite years of patient waiting, these promises remain unfulfilled, and the voices of the Ladakhi people continue to be ignored. It is imperative that the legitimate concerns of Ladakh’s people are acknowledged and resolved.

“We strongly urge the government to engage in meaningful dialogue and meet the demands of the Ladakhi people. The Delhi Chalo march, led by Sonam Wangchuk, calls for action on the following four key issues:
1. Inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to safeguard its unique cultural identity and land rights.
2. Granting statehood to Ladakh.
3. Separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.
4. Formation of a Public Services Commission for Ladakh to expedite the recruitment for gazetted posts and ensure local employment opportunities.

“Although the Ministry of Home Affairs has held multiple rounds of talks with the Kargil Democratic Alliance and the Leh Apex Body, no substantial progress has been made. The delay in meaningful discussions with Ladakhi leadership is unacceptable and continues to fuel frustration within the region.

“Without constitutional safeguards, the predominantly tribal population of Ladakh fears losing their land, facing increased competition for jobs from non-locals, and experiencing damage to the region’s fragile environment due to population growth and unchecked development.

“We, the people of Ladakh, call upon the Central Government to respect our demands and allow us to live in peace, in harmony with our land, culture, and way of life.

The press conference was attended by Apex Body head Dorjay Chering Lakruk, President Anjumane Imamia Leh, Ashraf Barcha, President Anjuman Moinul Islam Leh, Dr Abdul Qayoom, student representatives of AKSAD and LSWSD and other leaders.