JAMMU, SEPTEMBER 04, 2026 : The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has scheduled the next meeting of the Sub-Committee on Ladakh issues in New Delhi on September 9, 2026, prompting the Leh Apex Body (LAB) to call an urgent meeting in Leh to decide whether it will participate and what position it should adopt.
In a communication to Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, the MHA said the next meeting of the Sub-Committee would be held in New Delhi on September 9 and requested the administration to inform all members.
Two earlier meetings were held in Leh on July 3 and August 19, with participation from MHA representatives, senior Ladakh administration officials, LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) representatives.
Sources said the New Delhi meeting is expected to include senior Ladakh administration officials, three members each from LAB and KDA, Ladakh Lok Sabha MP Mohd Hanifa Jan, former MP Thupstan Chhewang, Kargil Hill Council Chairman Mohd Jaffar Akhoon and former Leh Hill Council chief Tashi Gyalson. MHA officials are expected to join from Delhi.
LAB chairman Chering Dorjay Lakruk confirmed that an emergency meeting of the Apex Body has been called in Leh to discuss the proposed meeting. He did not indicate whether LAB would attend.
Lakruk said that if LAB decides to participate, a joint meeting with KDA could also be convened.
LAB-KDA SEEK HIGH-POWERED COMMITTEE MEETING
Sources said LAB and KDA are likely to seek a fresh meeting of the High Powered Committee (HPC) headed by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, arguing that key outstanding issues should be settled at the higher level.
At the May 22 HPC meeting in New Delhi, an in-principle understanding was reportedly reached on establishing a Ladakh-level elected body with legislative, financial and executive powers, along with seven District Autonomous Councils.
The meeting also reportedly discussed restoring democratic processes in Ladakh and providing constitutional safeguards on the lines of Articles 371A, 371F and 371G, applicable to Nagaland, Sikkim and Mizoram respectively.
However, the MHA has yet to release a draft outlining the proposed UT-level body’s structure, including its name, number of elected representatives and powers of the chief, vice-chief and ministerial-level members.
LAB and KDA are seeking early resolution of these issues, followed by the constitution of the proposed UT-level body.
PANCHAYAT POLLS ALSO IN FOCUS
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Rural Development, Ladakh has issued a draft proposal concerning Panchayat/Panch constituencies affected by the Election Commission notification for Kargil and Zanskar districts.
Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra had earlier announced that Panchayat elections are proposed to be held in the Union Territory, adding another important political development to the ongoing discussions over Ladakh’s governance framework.
