Former Ladakh Council Head Criticizes Leh Agitation as Sit-in Protests Enter Second Day

The indefinite sit-in protest led by the Leh Apex Body in Leh entered its second day on Friday as a prominent political figure questioned the direction of the ongoing agitation. Dr. Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon, the former Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil who recently joined the BJP, urged voters to decide whether the region should turn into a hub of agitation or development.

Demands and Protests

Mr. Akhoon appealed to the new generation to take part in upcoming panchayat, municipality, and hill council elections to support democracy. He stated that the common man is being led astray by agitating civil society groups, though he did not directly name the Leh Apex Body or the Kargil Democratic Alliance. Addressing concerns about holding elections during peak winters, he noted that past assembly polls occurred in November and December while colleges remained open. Meanwhile, Leh Apex Body co-chairman Tsering Dorjey Lakrook spoke at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Memorial Park protest site, announcing that religious heads will lead an intensification of the dharna from November 14. Protesters carried placards outlining six demands, which include opposing simultaneous elections, resuming Ministry of Home Affairs sub-committee meetings, releasing a Judicial Enquiry Commission report on a September 24 incident, withdrawing all cases unconditionally, forming an independent Delimitation Commission, and rolling back a new liquor policy.

Talks and Context

Mr. Akhoon, who participates in talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding special status for the region, stated that negotiations made significant headway by October 15. Disagreements remained over who writes the Chief Secretary's Annual Performance Reports and the name of the elected body. According to Mr. Akhoon, the Centre agreed to grant Ladakh a unique position under Article 371 with law-making powers on land and jobs, and intended to introduce a bill during the winter session of Parliament. He added that the State Election Commission, rather than the local administration or the Centre, decided on the election schedule, with assurances that delimitation issues will be addressed after the 2027 census report.

Context

Ladakh has experienced ongoing political discussions and public demonstrations regarding regional autonomy, democratic representation, and constitutional protections following its transition to a Union Territory. Local political groups like the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance have pressed the central government for formal safeguards relating to land, employment, and governance. Such negotiations typically involve balancing local demands for institutional safeguards with national administrative frameworks.