Ladakh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance supporters stage a protest

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Thousands of people gathered at Polo Ground in Leh on Tuesday to stage a peaceful protest against what they alleged was the Centre’s failure to incorporate assurances made during a May 22 meeting in New Delhi into the official minutes of the meeting.The protest, called by the Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), also voiced opposition to the proposed privatisation of the power sector and the Union Territory’s new liquor policy.Chering Dorjay Lakrook, Co-chairman of the Leh Apex Body, told businessline that around 7,000 people participated in the rally.“All shops and business establishments across Ladakh remained closed,” Lakrook said, describing the shutdown as peaceful.According to him, the minutes of the May 22 meeting between a Ministry of Home Affairs sub-committee and representatives of Ladakh’s civil society did not reflect the decisions made by the Centre during the discussions.On May 22, the LAB and the KDA had announced that they had reached an “in-principle understanding” with the Centre on a framework to address key demands, including the restoration of democratic governance through a legislature and constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory.However, the two civil society groups later declined to sign the draft minutes, alleging that the Centre had expunged the commitments made during the meeting.Lakrook said Tuesday’s protest was intended to press the Centre to honour those assurances.He added that protesters also opposed the proposed liquor policy, which proposes to increase the number of liquor outlets in Ladakh from 2 to 20, and the proposed privatisation of the power sector.“People in Ladakh believe these decisions will have far-reaching social, cultural and economic consequences for the region, “he said. There is widespread concern that expanding liquor sales could alter Ladakh’s social fabric, while privatisation of electricity could make power less affordable and reduce public oversight over an essential service.The LAB and the KDA have been spearheading a joint movement seeking statehood for Ladakh, constitutional safeguards and jobs protections. Published on June 23, 2026