Leh, September 4: The Leh Apex Body has postponed its proposed Kargil-Leh Pad Yatra ahead of a scheduled meeting between Ladakh representatives and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi on September 9.
The foot march was planned as part of programmes marking September as “Martyrs’ Month”, commemorating those who lost their lives during the September 24 incidents last year.
The decision to defer the march comes as the Centre has called a sub-committee-level meeting to discuss issues concerning Ladakh and demands raised by its civil society groups. The Ladakh leadership has previously held several rounds of dialogue with the MHA.
The Apex Body has urged the Centre to demonstrate sincerity during the upcoming talks and make concrete progress on Ladakh’s long-pending political and democratic demands. Among the key issues is greater democratic representation, including a proposal for an elected legislature for the Union Territory.
The leadership has also sought compensation for families of people killed during last year’s protests, assistance for those injured and withdrawal of cases registered in connection with the September 24 incidents.
The Kargil Democratic Alliance had earlier announced a rally in Kargil on September 10 followed by a foot march towards Leh beginning September 11, with the march scheduled to culminate in Leh on September 24.
The Apex Body said its next course of action would depend on the outcome of the September 9 talks. If the dialogue fails to produce meaningful progress, protest programmes could be rescheduled later in September.
