JAMMU/ New Delhi, Oct. 23 -- Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday accused the Centre of keeping Ladakh "deprived of democracy" and treating it as a "controversial area" by retaining its status as a Union Territory without a legislature.

The remarks came after a Union home ministry meeting with Ladakh leaders, scheduled for Thursday in New Delhi, did not take place. Wangchuk said the cancellation, without an explanation, had prompted the region's leadership to consider taking its case to the United Nations.

"We were told with complete determination that we will meet in Delhi on the 22nd of October," Wangchuk told the media in New Delhi. "We made our plans and bought our tickets. Today I am here, and the meeting is not happening. The count...