The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ladakh civil society leaders met on February 4, 2026, but could not reach an agreement. The meeting lasted three hours and focused on a draft proposal submitted by the leaders on October 22, 2025. The proposal demands statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the sixth schedule of the Indian Constitution, which would grant it tribal status. Leaders also raised the issue of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and others detained after the September 24, 2025, violence in Leh city. Four people were killed and many injured in those clashes. Wangchuk is currently held under the National Security Act in Jodhpur prison, Rajasthan. The leaders called for their unconditional release and withdrawal of all cases. The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), representing Ladakh's two districts, have been pushing for constitutional safeguards in the union territory since it was created in 2019 after Article 370's end. They were invited to meet the high-powered committee (HPC) led by the Minister of State for Home Affairs. During the talks, MHA officials offered only protections under Article 371 of the Constitution and stressed strengthening the hill councils in Ladakh. This article currently applies to 12 other states and deals with special provisions. Asgar Karbalai, Co-Chairman of KDA, said, "We want to see how serious the MHA is towards our demands and concerns. The results of the meeting were not satisfactory. We went with a positive outlook but it was not up to our expectations. But we have not lost hope." Cherring Dorjay Lakruk, co-convener of LAB, added, "The discussions centred around the draft proposal submitted by us in October 2025 regarding Statehood and sixth schedule. The issue of detention of Sonam Wangchuk and others is dear to the people of Ladakh. The cases registered against them are illegal. We forcefully demanded the release of all of them and pressed for the withdrawal of cases." Job opportunities for Ladakh's youth were also discussed. The leaders hope the MHA will schedule another meeting within 15 to 20 days.