Amidst growing demand for constitutional safeguards after abrogation of Article 370 and J&K’s bifurcation in two union territories (UTs), the Union Home Ministry has constituted a high-powered committee to discuss safeguards for land, employment and unique culture for the Union Territory of Ladakh.

The committee headed by Minister of State for Home Affair Nityanand Rai will discuss the protections to culture and language considering the geographical location and strategic importance of Ladakh. It will also discuss the protection of land and employment for the people, inclusive development, employment generation, and measures related to empowerment of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils of Leh and Kargil.

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“It has been decided to constitute a high-powered committee under the chairmanship of Nityanand Rai, Minister of State for Home Affairs, for the Union Territory of Ladakh,” reads the Home Ministry order. The committee has been set up to discuss measures to protect Ladakh’s unique culture and language taking into consideration its geographical location and its strategic importance.

The committee will also discuss measures to ensure protection of land and employment for the people of Ladakh, the order states. The committee will discuss measures for inclusive development, employment generation in the region and empowerment of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Leh and Kargil.

The 17-member committee has Ladakh Lieutenant Governor RK Mathur, MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Chairmen of Leh and Kargil Hill councils, representatives of apex body Leh, Kargil Democratic Alliance and nominee officials of the Home ministry as its members. Thuptsan Chhewang, chairman of the apex body that is steering the agitation in Ladakh, is also a non-official member. Besides, leaders of Congress and National Conference have also been named as members.

The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, passed two resolutions seeking safeguarding for land, jobs, culture, and statehood in view of its strategic importance and the unique geography and culture of the region.

Ladakhis have also been demanding implementation of Sixth Schedule to ensure due protection of the land, jobs, culture and ecology of Ladakh.