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The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on Tuesday announced that it would not engage in discussions with the Centre until all detained activists, including Sonam Wangchuk, are released and a judicial inquiry is launched into the recent police firing in Leh.
KDA co-chairperson Asgar Ali Karbalai said, “We will not be part of any discussions with the Centre until Sonam Wangchuk is released, arrests are stopped, and a judicial inquiry into the September 24 incident is initiated.”
Karbalai criticised the government’s portrayal of protesters in Ladakh as “anti-national,” describing it as an insult to the region’s long record of service to the nation. “We don’t need certificates of patriotism. Stop branding Ladakhis as anti-national,” he said.
The KDA’s announcement comes a day after the Apex Body, Leh (ABL), the other organisation leading the agitation for Ladakh’s statehood and constitutional safeguards, also suspended its dialogue with the Centre. The KDA said it supported the ABL’s stance and stressed that a “conducive atmosphere” must be restored in Ladakh before any talks could continue.
Karbalai reiterated the demand for an impartial probe into the September 24 police firing during a shutdown in Leh. “KDA dismisses all allegations of the UT administration and MHA, and we want to tell them that Sonam Wangchuk, who is a hero of the country, should be immediately released,” he said.
Informal talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had been scheduled for Tuesday, with structured discussions slated for 6 October. However, KDA leaders confirmed they would not attend. On Monday, ABL chairman Thupstan Chhewang declared that his group would also abstain from discussions until “peace and normalcy are restored” in Ladakh.
Leaders of the ABL, including Thupstan Chhewang and Chering Dorjay, echoed the KDA’s demand that all detained activists be released unconditionally and that the 24 September firing be investigated fairly.
The clashes that day between security forces and demonstrators during a shutdown in Leh left four people dead and dozens injured. More than 50 individuals were detained, among them Sonam Wangchuk, who was booked under the National Security Act (NSA) and sent to Jodhpur Central Jail.
