KARGIL, Aug. 9 -- A three-day hunger strike began in Kargil on Saturday morning in support of four key demands - statehood for Ladakh, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil, and establishment of a public service commission.

The protest, organised jointly by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and Leh Apex Body (LAB), is being held at Hussani Park. The two groups have been leading the agitation for the past five years and have held several rounds of talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs' high-powered committee (HPC).

Banners at the venue read, "Together, we can build a future where Ladakh governs Ladakh." Protesters carried placards with slogans such as "End colonial treatm...