Kargil, April 18 — Leaders of the Apex Body Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) held a significant meeting today at The Haven Hotel in Biamathang, Kargil, which lasted nearly three hours. According to sources, the meeting involved detailed discussions on Ladakh’s four-point agenda.

Following the meeting, the Apex Body and KDA jointly organized a press conference. Apex Body Chairman Chering Dorjey Lakruk addressed the media in the Ladakhi language, while KDA Co-Chairman Haji Asgar Ali Karbalai and Member of Parliament Mohammad Hanifa Jan spoke in Urdu.

The leaders highlighted key issues during the press conference, including the restoration of statehood, constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule, domicile criteria, the establishment of a Public Service Commission, and rising unemployment in the region.

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They welcomed the invitation from the Ministry of Home Affairs for talks on May 20, expressing hope that the meeting would be productive and meaningful. The leaders stated that formal discussions would take place on fundamental issues such as the Public Service Commission, domicile cut-off, and unemployment, along with progress on demands for statehood and the Sixth Schedule.

The leaders warned that if the May 20 meeting fails to meet the expectations of the Ladakhi people, they would resort to protest movements.

During the press conference, concerns were also raised about the policies of the UT Administration. The leaders asserted that schemes like the Industrial and Solar Policy would not be acceptable to the Apex Body and KDA unless formulated through public consultation.

It was also decided that a physical meeting would be held every month, alternating between Leh and Kargil, to strategize for achieving statehood and the Sixth Schedule.

Since Ladakh was declared a Union Territory, local leadership has been demanding four key points: restoration of statehood, constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule, establishment of a Public Service Commission, and separate parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil.

In January 2025, during the last high-powered committee meeting, the government had agreed in principle to establish a Public Service Commission for Ladakh. However, disagreements persist between the government and local leaders over domicile cut-off and reservation policies. The government proposed a 15-year domicile requirement, while Ladakhi leaders insist on 1989 as the cut-off year.

Delays in setting up the Public Service Commission have heightened frustration among educated youth, as recruitment delays are pushing them beyond age limits—a serious concern.

Today’s meeting was attended by Apex Body Chairman and Ladakh Buddhist Association President Chering Dorjey Lakruk, Anjuman Imamia Leh President Ashraf Ali Barcha, Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam Vice President Mohammad Ramzan, Gonpa Association President Chering Angdus, LBA Vice President Kunzes Dolma, Congress Leh President Rigzin Namgyal, AAP Convenor Chering Phuntsog, and Numbardar Association Leh representative Angchuk.

From Kargil, KDA Co-Chairman Haji Asgar Ali Karbalai, Chief Executive Councillor Dr. Jafar Akhoon, MP Mohammad Hanifa Jan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Isna Ashriya Kargil representative Sajjad Hussain Kargili, Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust representative Sheikh Hassnain Rizwani, Advocate Mustafa Haji, Mubarak Shah, Ahsan Ali, and Sadiq Ali were present.

The people of Ladakh hope that the May 20 talks will genuinely address their sentiments and needs, particularly regarding unemployment and the Public Service Commission. Public representatives expect these negotiations to be a crucial milestone in securing the future of the region’s youth.

However, leaders made it clear that the people of Ladakh will no longer be satisfied with mere promises—they demand concrete decisions and immediate implementation, or else a new wave of protests could begin in Ladakh.