At a press conference in Delhi on Monday, leaders from Ladakh and several other hill regions demanded accountability for recent police firing in Leh, the release of detained activist Sonam Wangchuk, and constitutional safeguards for the Himalayan region.

The Kargil Democratic Alliance sought a judicial probe into the protest deaths, and pressed for the resignation of Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor and police chief. Alongside the Leh Apex Body, it has been at the forefront of the agitation for statehood and Sixth Schedule protections. The Delhi press conference, organised by the collective People for Himalaya and KDA at the Press Club of India, also saw participation from the Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, Himdhara Collective, and Climate Front Jammu.

The Leh Apex Body was scheduled to hold talks with the Centre on October 6 but it reportedly gave an ultimatum on Monday that it will not hold any talks until peace prevails in Ladakh.

Sajjad Kargili of the KDA said the handling of protests in Leh has deepened public resentment. “One of those killed was a soldier from Kargil. He was not killed by a Pakistani bullet but by ours. What kind of message is this government sending to Ladakh?” he asked. “When the Prime Minister says democracy is in our DNA, what is wrong with Ladakh demanding the same democracy?” he asked.

Speakers dismissed allegations about Wangchuk’s links with Pakistan as baseless.

“Ye bebuniyaad aarop hain (These are groundless allegations). Many Indians have gone to Pakistan, even cricketers have played three matches with Pakistan recently  and ministers are photographed with Pakistani players like Shahid Afridi. Does that mean they are anti-national?” said Kargili. 

In response to Newslaundry’s question about the media coverage of Wangchuk’s arrest, Atul Sati from the Joshimath Bachao Samiti said, “They (media) are not there when Wangchuk condemns China, but they try to erase his image when he speaks for Ladakh.... We demand unconditional release for him.”

Meanwhile, Anmol Ohri of Climate Front Jammu added, “Toolkit has now become the government’s new normal. If there is really something anti-national, why hasn’t the government stopped it? This is a failure of the state. And when we speak of Sixth Schedule, suddenly we are branded toolkit makers. ”

Reiterating their demand for Ladakh’s statehood and Sixth Schedule protections, the panelists framed the struggle as part of a larger Himalayan crisis where climate change and reckless development are converging with fragile governance.

“We are not against development. We are against imposed development,” said Kargili. “Every Himalayan region is different. Ladakh is not Uttarakhand, and Uttarakhand is not Jammu. Development must be designed with local communities, not imposed from Delhi.”

Manshi Asher of Himdhara Collective argued that unchecked commercial tourism and mega solar parks in fragile zones are threatening both ecology and livelihoods. 

The collective highlighted how unregulated infrastructure, mega-projects and deforestation are aggravating disasters across the mountain states. 

Citing the 2025 monsoon floods and landslides in Uttarkashi, Mandi, Kishtwar, Joshimath, Dharali, Siang, Ladakh and Sikkim, the group said these are not merely “natural calamities” but consequences of poor planning and diluted safeguards.

“Specifically, the group called for a high-level judicial inquiry into the violence, the resignation of the Lieutenant Governor and Director General of Police of Ladakh, the immediate release of Sonam Wangchuk and all arrested leaders, and the withdrawal of all charges. It reiterated full support for the four-point agenda of the people of Ladakh, led by the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, which includes the demand for statehood and Sixth Schedule protection,” read a press note by the KDA and People for Himalaya.

Small teams can do great things. All it takes is a subscription. Subscribe now and power Newslaundry’s work.