Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 7: Although the agitating Ladakhi groups have taken a tough stand against resuming talks, the Union Territory administration has released most of the detained persons to create an atmosphere conducive to restarting the stalled dialogue process.
The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have set two key conditions for resuming dialogue — a judicial probe into the recent violence and the release of all arrested persons, including climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
Highly placed sources said the Ladakh administration has decided to release most of the detained persons to restore normalcy in Leh, where unprecedented violence broke out on September 24, resulting in the deaths of four people.
“The Ladakh administration has also initiated back-channel discussions with some religious organizations to persuade the agitating groups to return to the table and resume the dialogue process,” the sources said.
It is important to mention that the Union Government, on September 29, reiterated its openness to dialogue with the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance at any time.
“The dialogue mechanism established with the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance through the High Powere The Union Territory administration has released most of the detained persons to create an atmosphere conducive to restart the stalled dialogue process.
The Ladakh administration has also initiated back-channel discussions with some religious organizations to persuade the agitating groups to return to the table.
Fourteen more individuals arrested in connection with the September 24 violence in Leh were released after a local court granted them bail
Of the 39 people arrested on the day of the violence, 38 have now been released on bail.
Meanwhile, fourteen more individuals arrested in connection with the September 24 violence in Leh were released after a local court granted them bail, lawyers confirmed — marking another significant development in the tense aftermath of the unrest that erupted during a hunger strike led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
According to Mohammad Shafi Lassu, president of the Bar Association, Leh, “Today, 14 individuals were released from jail. Thirteen were granted interim bail by the court, while one had been granted bail earlier but was released today due to a documentation issue.”
Of the 39 people arrested on the day of the violence, 38 have now been released on bail. Lassu added that around 70 people were detained in total and that more bail hearings are expected in the coming days. Last week, the court granted interim bail to 26 others. | 