Home Ministry Reconvenes Ladakh High-Powered Committee for Late-January Talks

Overview

• The Ministry of Home Affairs has invited members to reconvene the High-Powered Committee in the last part of January 2026 and asked them to propose convenient dates for a meeting in New Delhi.
• Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance leaders say they expect the session to take up their four-point package, including statehood and Sixth Schedule protections, alongside their November draft framework.
• Representatives also plan to press humanitarian issues, including the continued detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and compensation for those killed or injured during the September 24 protest in Leh.
• Talks had stalled after four locals were killed in police firing in September, with Ladakh groups demanding accountability measures such as a judicial inquiry before resuming engagement.
• The Centre has previously signaled limits on key demands, with Amit Shah saying Sixth Schedule inclusion would not be possible and a legislature request being turned down, even as the HPC earlier backed a 15-year domicile rule and a 95% local hiring quota.