Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Ladakh leaders, including environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, in Leh on Thursday, centering the interaction on spirituality ahead of scheduled government discussions regarding the region.
- Next Step: An MHA sub-committee meeting is scheduled for May 22 to discuss Ladakh-related issues.
- Current Status: Shah declined to chair a high-powered committee during this visit, citing the spiritual nature of his trip.
- Context: The meeting follows the March release of Sonam Wangchuk from detention under the National Security Act (NSA).
Shah was on a two-day visit to the Union territory to attend an international exposition of Buddha’s holy relics. During the interaction, he urged the leaders to maintain faith in Lord Buddha and stated that “everything will be alright.”
The meeting included former Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) chief executive Gyalson, LAB co-chairman Tsering Dorje Lakrook, and Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa.
Amit Shah Ladakh Meeting and May 22 Talks
According to Gyalson, the home minister noted that Ladakh-related issues would be addressed during a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sub-committee meeting on May 22.
Shah encouraged the representatives to approach the upcoming meeting with an “open mind” and a willingness to find a “middle path.” He indicated that if a consensus is reached, the matters will be concluded in a subsequent high-powered committee meeting.
Demands for Higher-Level Oversight
During the 30-minute session, leaders raised several demands, including a request for Shah to personally chair a high-powered MHA committee on the talks. Shah declined the request, stating he was currently on a spiritual journey.
Lakrook also requested that the May 22 talks be upgraded from a sub-committee level to a high-powered meeting. MP Haneefa noted that Shah said such an upgrade would occur if the initial talks move forward.
Background of Regional Unrest
The interaction occurs seven months after protests in Leh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards led to alleged police firing on Sept 24, 2025, resulting in four deaths and over 80 injuries.
Sonam Wangchuk was previously arrested and charged under the National Security Act (NSA) for allegedly inciting protesters. The Centre revoked his detention in March, affirming a commitment to “constructive engagement and dialogue.”
Previous discussions between the MHA panel and Ladakhi representatives took place on Oct 22 and Feb 4, though the February round remained inconclusive.
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