Ladakh observes shutdown over Centre’s ‘missing’ draft, new policy push (opens original article in a new tab)

Ladakh's Kargil and Leh districts shut down over the Centre's failure to release meeting minutes and new policies, with civil society groups protesting constitutional safeguards and local governance issues.

• Ladakh's Kargil and Leh districts observed a shutdown over the Centre's failure to release meeting minutes from May 22, 2026, which reportedly omitted key constitutional guarantees.
• Civil society groups criticized the new excise policy for lacking consultation and potential negative impacts on social harmony and local business interests.
• The shutdown also protested the land digitisation process, privatisation of the Power Department, and the Centre's proposed constitutional safeguards under Article 371 instead of the Sixth Schedule.