NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk accused Centre of backtracking on an understanding reached with Ladakh groups in May 2026, including on a UT-level elected body, calling the failure to hold talks in Delhi on Thursday “yet another betrayal of trust”. “The govt had said Ladakh lacked resources for full statehood. We asked for a UT with a legislature and safeguards under Article 371. Govt agreed at the May 22 meeting, but now says there will be neither statehood nor a legislature. Instead, it is talking about a small council, which is shameful and undignified for Ladakh,” he said.
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Raising the bar, Wangchuk said, “We are now saying that Ladakh should be granted full statehood.” This would send out a message to China and the rest of the world, he added.LAB and KDA representatives had prepared for Oct 22 talks after an Oct 15 meeting in Leh, expecting discussion of drafts on the powers of the UT-level body and district councils. Wangchuk alleged the Ladakh administration was making decisions unilaterally and curtailing district councils’ powers.Meanwhile, a Civil Society Forum of Ladakh convention accused LAB and KDA of rejecting MHA’s draft proposal without examination. Led by former MP Thupstan Chhewang, it blamed cancellation on “misinformation and disregard for consensus” by LAB and KDA leaders. It demanded LAB’s reconstitution with elected representatives from districts.A Ladakh administration officer said talks were not cancelled, adding LAB chairman had been told a Delhi meeting date would be conveyed soon.