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Ladakh-based civil society umbrella groups, Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), on Saturday (June 20, 2026) called for a shutdown on June 23 against the Centre’s “backtracking on May 22 decisions” and “delay in releasing the agreed upon minutes of the meeting”.
“We have called for a complete shutdown on June 23 in Ladakh. All shops and business centres will remain closed. Only transport will be allowed because of the ongoing tourist season,” said LAB chairman Tsering Dorjey Lakrook, in a joint press conference with members of the KDA.
Giving reasons for the shutdown call, Mr. Lakrook accused the Centre of backtracking on the assurances made during the meeting of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and six-member committee of the civil society group in New Delhi on May 22.
Suspecting Centre’s intentions
“On May 22, the MHA sub-committee agreed to certain decisions. However, the minutes of the meeting did not reflect it later. It is a cause of concern. The Centre should release the minutes of the meeting and reflect the decisions taken. The Centre should stand by the May 22 decisions. We suspect the intentions of the Centre. It should not be that we take one step forward and two steps backward,” said Mr. Lakrook.
He accused the Centre of planning to use the upcoming two-month visit of the Dalai Lama to Ladakh as “an excuse to delay the implementation of the decisions”. “If the Centre thinks that the Dalai Lama’s visit to Ladakh will silence us, it’s mistaken. Under the garb of the two-month tour, we fear decision after decision will be taken to sell Ladakh. We are aware of what is happening behind the doors,” said Mr. Lakrook.
Elaborating on the May 22 meeting, KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai said it was agreed to address the Statehood demand by “creating a legislature under an elected Chief Minister”. “It was agreed in principle that the legislature will have executive, legislative and financial powers over matters concerning locals,” said Mr. Karbalai.
Special safeguards
On constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, Mr. Karbalai said it was agreed to grant special powers under Articles 371A, F and G of the Constitution as guaranteed in these provisions. “We were told the best provisions under these sections will be included under [proposed] Article 371K for Ladakh. It also promised to bring bureaucracy, including the Chief Secretary, under the executive. We were told the minutes of the meeting will be released in days but have not happened till date,” said Mr. Karbalai.
Besides the members of the LAB and KDA, Ladakh Member of Parliament Hanifa Jan and activist Sonam Wangchuk also attended the meeting, where it was decided to go ahead with the shutdown in Ladakh on June 23.
Commenting on Mr. Wangchuk’s support for the Cockroach Janta Party, Mr. Lakrook said he was a national figure and attended it “in his personal capacity”. “There was nothing wrong with engaging on a national issue such as education. I would like to clarify that he has not gone there as a representative of the apex body. From our perspective, we do not see any harm in this. In fact, it can only benefit our movement rather than harm it,” Mr. Lakrook said.
Published – June 20, 2026 07:15 pm IST
