Ladakh Agitation: Centre Announces Judicial Probe, Talks Set to Resume
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Polity (Sixth Schedule, Union Territories, Constitutional Provisions); Current Events of National Importance (Ladakh protests).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (Polity & Governance): Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein; provisions for administration of tribal areas.
General Studies Paper 3 (Internal Security): Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of development and spread of extremism.
Key Highlights from the News
The Union Home Ministry announced a judicial inquiry to investigate the incidents of violence in Leh on September 24.
Former Supreme Court Judge Justice B.S. Chauhan will chair the inquiry commission.
Following this announcement, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) agreed to resume talks with the Central Government, which had been suspended.
The main demands of LAB and KDA are Statehood for Ladakh, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, a separate Public Service Commission, and two Lok Sabha seats.
LAB and KDA stated that they would continue peaceful protests until their main demands are met.
LAB clarified that other demands, such as the release of activist Sonam Wangchuk, are not a hurdle to resume talks.
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