In the struggle for Ladakh’s demands for statehood and protection under the Sixth Schedule, the Apex Body, Leh (ABL), has been joined by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), despite the historically divergent political interests of Buddhist-majority Leh and Muslim-majority Kargil. Now, both outfits have joined forces.

KDA founder-member Sajjad Kargili tells The Indian Express that after the ABL pulled out of talks with the Centre on October 6, his outfit will follow suit. He weighs in on the situation in the Union Territory, why the government should “act with wisdom”, and the way forward. Excerpts:

Why have the protests taken this turn now?

Unfortunately, we have seen violence for the first time during these protests. We do not know the reason why this violence erupted because we

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