Govt may give legislative powers to Ladakh local bodies in May 22 talks

New Delhi: The next round of discussions between the home ministry and Ladakh representatives on safeguards for the region will resume on May 22 – as announced by Ladakh LG VK Saxena in a post on X Sunday – and may look at ways to strengthen elected local bodies with legislative powers and offer further safeguards to the Ladakhi people in matters related to land, culture and employment, among others.The talks – resuming after almost three months – come in the wake of revocation of activist Sonam Wangchuk’s detention under NSA, seen by experts as a conciliatory move by the Centre to earn the trust of Ladakhi groups. The home ministry had, while releasing Wangchuk, cited a commi ment to “fostering an environment of peace, stability and mutual trust in Ladakh to facilitate constructive and meaningful dialogue with stakeholders”.In early Feb, the ministry had heard the demands of Ladakh bodies Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance. The Ladakhi leaders were told to come back with a revised proposal. Ministry sources said they expected to hear back on it at the May 22 meeting.