• Source:JND
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Days after the violent protests in Leh and the arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, the Leh Apex Body (ABL) on Monday announced to stay away from talks with the High Powered Committee (HPC) of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs till normalcy is restored in Ladakh.

Addressing a press conference, Chairman of the Apex Body, Leh, ThupstanChhewang said, "We have unanimously agreed that the situation that is prevailing in Ladakh, keeping that in view, as long as peace is not restored in Ladakh, we will not participate in any talks".

"We will urge the Home Ministry, UT administration, and the administration to take steps to address the atmosphere of fear, grief and anger that is there," the ALB chairman said.

Widespread violent protests took place on September 24 during a shutdown called by the ABL to further talks with the Home Ministry on the demands for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to Ladakh.

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In the violence, the BJP's party office in Leh was attacked and vandalized, while the CRPF vehicles were also set ablaze. Four people died and scores of others were injured in clashes between protesters and security personnel.

More than 50 people were taken into custody for their alleged involvement in rioting. Two days later, Wangchuk, the main face of the agitation, was also detained under the stringent NSA.

The violence came on the heels of an invitation by the Centre to ALB and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) for a meeting on October 6 after months of stalled talks. The invitation was extended on September 20, four days before the violence.

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The KDA on the other hand has demanded the release of Wangchuk arguing that his visit to Pakistan is being politicised while India continues to play cricket with the neighbouring country.

In a press conference in New Delhi, KDA member Sajjad Kargili accused Centre of starting the talks only when they protest but when they fall silent, the government starts ignoring them. 

(With PTI Inputs)