SRINAGAR: As climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike at Gurugram’s Medanta Hospital in the presence of Union ministers, medical staff and representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), an amalgam of political and religious leaders from Leh, the LAB described the development as a positive step.“We had earlier appealed to him to end his hunger strike. It is very good news as we wanted to see him alive. We were concerned about his deteriorating health and it is good that he ended his hunger strike,” LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakrook told TOI.Lakrook along with Ashraf Ali Barcha, advocate Shafi Lassu and Dechan Chamgha, represented the LAB at the hospital. He said they were already at the hospital when Union ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh arrived.Gelek Phunchok, convenor LAB, in a statement said “the LAB welcomes Sonam Wangchuk’s decision to end his fast, a step it had consistently requested in view of his deteriorating health.”He said a delegation led by Lakrook and senior members travelled to New Delhi to meet Wangchuk but were made to wait for several days as permission to meet him was not granted. “Once permission was finally given, the delegation met him at around 12:20 a.m. They expressed deep concern over his health and appealed to him to end his fast.”“The Apex Body is relieved that Sonam Wangchuk accepted the appeal and wishes him a speedy recovery. While deeply respecting his unwavering commitment and sacrifice for the people of Ladakh, the Apex Body remains committed to pursuing Ladakh’s aspirations through peaceful and democratic means,” Phunchok said.Earlier this month, the LAB, of which Wangchuk is a member, appealed to him to end his hunger strike and return to Ladakh, saying his presence was needed as negotiations with the Centre had reached a critical stage.On July 3, following informal talks in Leh between representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ladakhi leaders, the LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) released the minutes of a May 22 meeting in New Delhi between an MHA sub-committee and Ladakhi leaders.The minutes recorded discussions on a “customised sui generis model” for Ladakh to be adopted under the provisions of Article 371. The Ladakhi leaders see it as a major development for the region and the basis for future negotiations.