SRINAGAR: Thousands rallied Monday in Leh and Kargil on calls by Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) to press for statehood and Sixth Schedule status for the Union territory (UT) of Ladakh.The rallies came two days after the Centre revoked National Security Act (NSA) against climate activist and LAB member Sonam Wangchuk to release him from jail after almost six months. He had been detained since Sept last year over violence during protests in Leh over the two demands.Speaking on Monday, LAB convenor Gelek Phunchok described the rallies as the first massive gatherings since last Sept’s protests when four persons died and over 80 were injured in alleged police firing.Monday’s rallyists carried portraits of the four killed in the alleged firing alongside placards that read “Ladakh demands statehood and Sixth Schedule”, “No more delays, statehood now,” and “Protect Ladakh culture”.Addressing the rally in Leh’s Polo Ground, LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakrook said Wangchuk’s release had vindicated their stand. He accused previous LG Kavinder Gupta of branding Wangchuk and the people of Ladakh “anti-national,” saying “we have proved him wrong.”Lakrook congratulated the people for following LAB’s instructions and holding a peaceful rally. He urged the Union home ministry (MHA) to announce the next round of talks with Ladakhi representatives, saying further delays were not acceptable. A high-powered MHA panel led by junior home minister Nityanand Rai has been speaking with Ladakh’s representatives on their demands. The talks stalled after the protesters’ deaths and Wangchuk’s arrest.Speaking in Kargil, KDA co-chairman Asghar Ali Karbali accused Ladakh authorities of trying to create a rift in society, saying Monday’s rallies in the two places showed the people of the region were united. Karbali welcomed Wangchuk’s release and hoped this would lead to statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. Another KDA functionary, Sajjad Kargili, vowed to continue the protests until their main demands are met.Mohmad Haneefa, Ladakh’s Independent MP, also addressed the gathering in Kargil and urged people to defeat attempts to undermine Ladakh’s unity.
