The invitation comes as the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) announced a padyatra (foot march) from Kargil to Leh to press for statehood, Sixth Schedule status, and other key demands. Srinagar: The Centre has invited the Ladakh leadership for a fresh round of talks in New Delhi next week.
“The ministry of home affairs (MHA) has fixed an official meeting of the sub-committee on 9th September in Delhi. So far, the Ladakh leadership has held three rounds of talks with the MHA. Kundra noted that the demands were forwarded to the MHA, signalling that another meeting would take place in early September. Led by social activist Sandeep Pandey and KDA leader Sajjad Kargili, the march was finalised during a meeting in Kargil attended by co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai along with other stakeholders. Leaders have been protesting since to demand statehood and constitutional safeguards. Separately, Ladakh lieutenant governor VK Saxena approved a notification from the UT revenue department creating Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) across all seven districts. Saxena thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, stating the move will decentralise governance and allow local priorities to shape district planning.
A day later, the administration withdrew cases against 25 people registered over the September 24, 2025, clashes. Meanwhile, the KDA announced full support for the Kargil-Leh padyatra, scheduled from September 10 to 24. Ladakh was created as a Union Territory without a legislative assembly on August 5, 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir. In 2023, the MHA formed a high-powered committee under minister of state for home Nityanand Rai to protect the region’s culture, language, and strategic interests. Elections for the newly formed councils will be announced under Section 8 of the LAHDC Act, 1997, after formal notification in the official gazette.
On August 19, regional leaders met Union home ministry officials in Leh and handed over a list of “non-negotiable” demands. “The creation of Autonomous Hill Development Councils in all seven districts is a milestone in strengthening grassroots governance in Ladakh,” Saxena said. This is part of the ongoing dialogue for deepening democratic processes in Ladakh,” chief secretary Ashish Kundra posted on X on Thursday.
