Ladakhi Leaders Announce Mass Hunger Strike, Demand Statehood

Thousands of men and women marched across the main city of Leh in freezing temperatures, shouting slogans demanding statehood for Ladakh, the implementation of the sixth schedule of the Constitution, and also separate parliament seats for Leh and Kargil districts. Protests were jointly organised by the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance. They have announced to go on a mass hunger strike if the Centre doesn't accept their demand for statehood and 6th schedule in the next meeting scheduled to be held on February 19.