Thousands of residents took to the streets in Kargil on Monday under the joint banner of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and Leh Apex Body (LAB), reiterating their demand for statehood, Sixth Schedule status, separate Lok Sabha constituencies for Leh and Kargil, and the establishment of a full-fledged Ladakh Public Service Commission.
The rally followed the conclusion of a three-day hunger strike by KDA and LAB leaders at Hussaini Park, Kargil. Protesters, carrying banners and placards, marched from Hussaini Park through the main market, chanting slogans in support of their demands.
The rally concluded at Hussaini Park, where leaders addressed the gathering and reaffirmed their resolve to continue the struggle until all demands are fulfilled.
Several prominent leaders of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), including co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakrook, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, Ladakh MP Haneefa Jan Mohammad, CEC Kargil Dr. Mohd Jaffar Akhoon, KDA co-chairman Asgar Karbalai, and social-political activist Sajad Kargili, along with other leaders, joined the rally in support of statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. They stressed that these demands are vital for democratic representation, cultural preservation, and balanced development in the region.
The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), a coalition of political, religious, social, and trade bodies, has been spearheading the agitation alongside the Leh Apex Body for several years. As part of their ongoing campaign, the KDA had announced and observed a three-day hunger strike from Saturday, pressing for statehood, Sixth Schedule status, separate parliamentary seats for Kargil and Leh, and the creation of a full-fledged public service commission.
Leaders of the LAB also joined the protest to convey a united message to the Centre, emphasising that the people of Ladakh will not remain silent on their “genuine” demands. The two groups have been at the forefront of the movement for the past five years and have engaged in multiple rounds of talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs’ high-powered committee (HPC). (Agencies)
