(file photo) Leh Apex Body (LAB) co-chairman Chering Dorjay
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In a significant breakthrough in the ongoing dialogue on Ladakh’s constitutional and political future, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on Friday unanimously signed the minutes of their May 22 meeting, ending weeks of uncertainty over the official record and clearing the way for the next round of negotiations.The minutes were finalised during a meeting between Additional Secretary (Home) Prashant Lokhande and representatives of LAB and KDA after marathon deliberations over a flurry of issues. The signing assumes significance as the Ladakh leadership had earlier accused the Centre of withholding the minutes and backtracking on assurances made during the May 22 meeting in New Delhi.According to the agreed minutes, both sides concurred that while statehood remains Ladakh’s long-term aspiration, the immediate priority is to establish a Union Territory-level elected body vested with executive, financial and legislative powers to provide the region with a democratic governance framework.Constitutional safeguardsThe document also records discussions on constitutional safeguards. While LAB and KDA reiterated their demand for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, both sides agreed to work towards a customised constitutional framework by drawing upon provisions under Article 371, with a model tailored to Ladakh’s unique requirements.A draft outlining the powers of the proposed elected body, including its executive, legislative and financial authority and its relationship with Panchayati Raj Institutions, will now be prepared for further deliberations.The minutes further record that LAB and KDA reiterated their demands for the creation of separate Ladakh Administrative Service (LAS) and Ladakh Police Service (LPS), besides seeking withdrawal of cases related to the September 24, 2025 protests. It was also agreed that officials dealing with subjects under the proposed elected body would function under its administrative control, including matters relating to Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs).Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Chering Lakrook, chairman of LAB described the discussions as constructive.“Today’s meeting was quite lengthy, and after detailed discussions, we finally reached a consensus on the minutes of the previous meeting and signed them”, he said. Larkook said that they demanded that the official talks be held immediately to reach to some final conclusion. The High-Powered Committee was constituted by the MHA in 2023 following sustained protests after Ladakh was carved out as a Union Territory without a legislature in 2019. With the minutes now formally signed, both sides expressed optimism that negotiations on the draft governance framework would commence soon.Published on July 3, 2026
