High-Powered Committee Set Up to Address Concerns of Ladakh Region

December 2, 2023

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has officially notified the reconstitution of the High-Powered Committee (HPC) tasked with addressing the concerns of the Ladakh region. This move comes in the wake of prolonged agitations in the region since August 2019, following the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and the bifurcation into two Union Territories.

Background of Agitations

Ladakh has been witnessing unrest since the aforementioned events in 2019. The High-Powered Committee was initially constituted on January 2, with a mandate to discuss measures for safeguarding Ladakh’s unique culture, language, and ensuring the protection of land and employment for its people. However, disagreements over the agenda and committee members led to a refusal by representatives from Ladakh and Kargil to meet with the Centre in January.

Committee Composition and Members

The reconstituted 15-member committee, chaired by MoS Home Nityanand Rai, includes eight government representatives. Notable members are Lieutenant Governor Brigadier B D Mishra (Retd), Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, and chairpersons of the Autonomous Hill Development Councils of Kargil and Leh. Both districts will be represented by seven members each, including leaders from various organizations such as Apex Body, Leh, Ladakh Buddhist Association, and others.

Committee’s Agenda and Mandate

The HPC’s mandate encompasses crucial issues such as the protection of land and employment for Ladakh residents. Discussions will also focus on empowering the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) and exploring constitutional safeguards. The latter is especially relevant to addressing concerns raised by protesting organizations like the Apex Body, Leh (ABL), and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).

Demands

The ABL and KDA, key players in the region’s protests, have emphasized specific demands. These include statehood for Ladakh, safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, job reservations for Ladakh’s youth, and the creation of separate parliamentary constituencies for the two parts of the region. While sources indicate the Centre’s willingness to engage in discussions, the specifics of the outcome remain uncertain.

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