'Always open for dialogue': MHA after Leh apex body's 'normalcy' demand
MHA said that we are confident that continuous dialogue would yield the desired results in near future
Bharatiya Abroad | Edited by Staff Writer | Updated: September 29, 2025 10:00 pm UTC
New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday said that the government is "always open for dialogue" on Ladakh matters with the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance at any time.
The ministry's remarks come after the Leh Apex Body (LAB) announced that it will stay away from talks with the High Powered Committee of the MHA till normalcy is restored in Ladakh.
In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated: "The Government has always been open for dialogues on Ladakh matters with Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) at any time."
It stated that it would continue to welcome the discussion with ABL and KDA through the HPC on Ladakh or any such platform.
"The dialogue mechanism established with Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) through the High Powered Committee (HPC) on Ladakh has yielded good results till date in the form of increased reservations to the Scheduled Tribes of Ladakh, providing women reservation in LAHDCs and protection to local languages. The process of recruitment for 1800 posts in government has already commenced in UT of Ladakh," the MHA said.
"We are confident that continuous dialogue would yield the desired results in near future," it added.
The remarks came after the Leh was embroiled in violent protests on September 24 during a shutdown called by LAB, which called for advanced talks with the Centre on the demands for extension of the Sixth Schedule and statehood to Ladakh.
At least four people died and several others were injured. Meanwhile, at least 50 people were taken into custody for their alleged involvement in the violent rioting.
The protesters had allegedly gathered to back climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was on a hunger strike at the time. Later, authorities detained Wangchuk under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).
Authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in Leh town following the September 24 clashes. Besides a four-hour relaxation in two phases on Saturday afternoon, the town continued to remain under strict curfew for the sixth consecutive day, along with a suspension of mobile internet services.