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Leh Apex Body begins indefinite sit-in over election timing and MHA talks

Leh, Ladakh, India · since Nov 12, 2026

Is it still on?

YESDay 2 and counting, since Nov 12.

Last report · checked

The Tea in three lines

Why they are protesting
Protesters oppose holding local and hill council elections during harsh winter months and criticize the MHA's failure to resume talks.
What they want
Deferral of winter elections, resumption of MHA talks, release of inquiry reports, and withdrawal of certain cases and policies.
What changed
Nov 12: The Leh Apex Body organized an indefinite sit-in at NDS Memorial Park in Leh after activist Sonam Wangchuk was put under house arrest.
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Both sides

What protesters want

  • Defer winter hill council and municipal elections
  • Resume MHA Sub-Committee dialogue with Ladakh groups
  • Release the Judicial Enquiry Commission report on the September 24 incident
  • Constitute an independent Delimitation Commission and roll back the new liquor policy

Organised by: Leh Apex Body, Ladakh Buddhist Association

What authorities say

Police removed activist Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site and restricted him to his home under preventive orders citing prohibitory measures issued by the Chief Electoral Officer and District Magistrate to maintain public order during the election period.2356

The full story

The civil society group Leh Apex Body (LAB) began an indefinite sit-in at the NDS Memorial Park in Leh to protest the Ministry of Home Affairs' failure to resume talks with regional bodies and the scheduling of local autonomous hill council and municipal elections during the harsh winter months. According to reports, co-chairman Tsering Dorjey Lakrook stated that winter elections would disenfranchise a significant portion of the population that migrates seasonally. Protesters also raised concerns regarding alleged tampering with electoral rolls. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who planned to join the agitation, was removed from the protest venue by police and restricted to his residence under preventive orders. Authorities defended the restrictions and election scheduling as necessary to maintain public order and manage the democratic process.

Timeline

  1. The Leh Apex Body organized an indefinite sit-in at NDS Memorial Park in Leh over election timing and stalled MHA talks.45

  2. Activist Sonam Wangchuk was removed from the protest site in Leh and escorted to his residence under prohibitory orders.2356

  3. Three Leh groups, including the Ladakh Buddhist Association, announced a boycott of Panchayat and Municipal polls.1

Pins sit on city centres, never on gathering points

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