Leh: A joint strike call given by the Apex Body of People’s Movement for 6th Schedule and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) disrupted normal life in Ladakh Saturday. The protest is against the Centre’s delay in holding talks with them regarding their demand for statehood and constitutional safeguards to the region.
Delegates meet Union minister
A delegation met Union Minister Nityanand Rai regarding their demands
They have been demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards to the region
Also a joint delegation of the Apex Body and the KDA met the visiting Minister of State (MoS) for Home, Nityanand Rai, on Saturday afternoon after accepting his invitation. Both the groups have also been demanding one more Lok Sabha seat and two Rajya Sabha seats besides a special recruitment drive for the local youth to fill up over 10,000 vacancies.
“The meeting with the minister took place in a cordial atmosphere. The Union minister heard our demands patiently,” said Qamar Ali Akhoon, former minister and co-chairman of the KDA.
Akhoon, who was flanked by other prominent leaders including apex body leader and former MP Thupstang Chhewang and Co-chairman KDA Asgar Ali Karbalai, said the union minister assured them that the dialogue with them would continue for the resolution of their demands.
He thanked the people of Ladakh for observing a “complete strike”. He said the delegation also raised the demand for filling up of vacancies to provide employment to the UT youth. — PTI