India, Oct. 22 -- Leaders from Ladakh met with Union Home Ministry representatives in Delhi on Wednesday for sub-committee level talks in what appears to be the first sign of thaw between the pro-statehood movement in the union territory and the central government.

Four people died and scores were left injured in police firing during the recent pro-statehood protests in Ladakh last month. A protest leader and educationist Sonam Wangchuk was detained under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) and is currently lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail.

During the meeting, the Ladakh representatives demanded an immediate release of all arrested leaders, including Wangchuk, the widely recognised face of the agitation.

The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and...