New Delhi: Civil society groups in Ladakh which had earlier announced that they have reached an “in-principle understanding” with the Union government for the restoration of democracy in the border region, have cautioned against any premature celebration, saying that they were waiting for a draft document from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), reported The Tribune.On Friday (May 22), the civil society groups had said that the understanding was reached during a meeting of a sub-committee of the MHA, comprising representatives from Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), along with Ministry officials.However, on Saturday (May 23) Gelek Phunchok, convenor of the LAB said that even though the development marked an important breakthrough, the two bodies were still awaiting formal written communication from the MHA.“We are also waiting for the minutes of Friday’s meeting,” Phunchok told The Tribune.Phunchok added that the picture would become clearer once the proposal was received in writing and thereafter the matter would be discussed further by the two bodies before any final decision is taken, he added. Phunchok said it was too early to celebrate the development.The newspaper also cited a KDA leader who said that even though both sides appeared committed to finding a “mutually acceptable solution”, the alliance was waiting for the draft proposal from the MHA before moving ahead.Speaking to reporters in Delhi, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk said that the government had proposed safeguards for Ladakh on the lines of Articles 371A and 371G, also agreeing in principle to a governance structure for the entire region instead of limiting powers to district councils.“As the finer details are worked out through due deliberation and consultation with legal and constitutional experts, I wish to emphasise most earnestly that this process must be genuinely inclusive and participatory in the fullest sense. Every community, every region and every section of Ladakhi society must be taken into confidence,” said Mohd Jaffar Akhoon, Chairman of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Kargil.The talks were held in the national capital to “deliberate on the future administrative and political framework of Ladakh” which has simmered with discontent since it was separated from Jammu and Kashmir and stripped of statehood in 2019.