New Delhi, October 22, 2025: In the first sign of dialogue after the violent pro-statehood protests in Ladakh, representatives of Leh and Kargil met Home Ministry officials on Wednesday for sub-committee level discussions. The meeting comes after four people were killed and several injured in police firing during the September 24 protests.
The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) urged the Centre to immediately release all arrested leaders, including climate activist Sonam Wangchuck, a prominent face of the agitation. They also demanded adequate compensation for the families of those killed in the police action.
Talks between Ladakh representatives and the Centre had stalled following the violence, with local groups boycotting an October 6 meeting of the high-powered Home Ministry committee. Lok Sabha MP from Ladakh, Mohmad Haneefa, who participated in Wednesday’s session, described the discussions as “an initial meeting with an open mind” and confirmed the focus on the release of detainees and the statehood demand.
Wangchuck, arrested under the National Security Act (NSA), remains in Jodhpur jail. The NSA allows detention of individuals for up to 12 months to prevent actions “prejudicial to the defence of India.”
On October 17, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced a judicial inquiry commission to investigate the September 24 clashes. The commission, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice B S Chauhan, is tasked with examining the “circumstances leading to the serious law and order situation, the police action, and the resultant deaths of four people.” Retired district and sessions judge Mohan Singh Parihar will serve as judicial secretary, while IAS officer Tushar Anand will act as administrative secretary.
The appointment of a retired Supreme Court judge addresses local demands for a high-level, impartial inquiry into the deadly police action.
Ladakh Leaders Hold First Post-Clashes Talks with Centre, Demand Release of Arrested Activists
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