A delegation of political representatives from Ladakh on Sunday withdrew their call to boycott the upcoming hill council elections after holding talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The Leh Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council elections are scheduled to be held on October 16.

The People’s Movement, a platform representing various politicians and organisations, had on Tuesday decided to boycott the election over their demands for bringing Ladakh under the ambit of provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

three member delegation, comprising former MPs Thiksay Rinpoche, Thupstan Chhewang and former minister Chhering Dorje, met Shah in New Delhi and said in a statement that the government is open to discuss protection available under Sixth Schedule of the constitution for the region. Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju were also present in the meeting.

The statement also said that the delegation members were assured by Shah that the Centre would take care of matters relating to land, jobs, demography, ethnicity, among others. “Union home minister assured the delegation that the government of India is committed to empower the Leh Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and would safeguard the interests of the people of the Union Territory of Ladakh,” it added. “It would explore all avenues towards this objective.”

It also said that a dialogue would be held between the delegation and the home ministry after 15 days of elections to Leh council. “Any discussion so reached in this connection would be in consultation with the representative from Leh and Kargil,” it added.

The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution protects tribal populations and provides autonomy to the communities by creation of autonomous development councils, which can frame laws on land, public health, agriculture, etc.