Sajid Raina
Leh, Sep 24: At least four people were killed and 50 injured in Leh on Wednesday when protesters demanding statehood clashed with Police, pelted stones and burnt a police vehicle, prompting the district administration to impose restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
According to reports, the protesters attacked the BJP office, pelted stones at police, and set ablaze many vehicles during violent clashes that erupted after a shutdown was called, following the hospitalization of 15 people sitting on a hunger strike.
Pertinently, a group of people led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk have been on a hunger strike since September 10, demanding dialogue with the Centre over Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule and the grant of statehood.
A senior official said that security forces tried to restrain agitators during a protest and shutdown in Ladakh, which was organized to press for early talks with the Centre regarding the demand for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule. “To control the escalating situation, police and paramilitary personnel deployed in large numbers across the town resorted to using tear gas shells,” he added.
Meanwhile the District Magistrate imposed restrictions and barred any procession, rally, or march without prior written approval from the competent authority.
The order also prohibited the use of vehicles with loudspeakers, statements that could disturb public peace, and assemblies of five or more people within Leh’s jurisdiction.
Officials said the move aims to maintain public order and prevent further escalation following the first instance of violence reported during the ongoing statehood movement in Ladakh.
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta in a video statement later in the evening condemned the violence in Leh and appealed to religious communities and political parties to identify miscreants responsible for the unrest.
He said all groups should work together to maintain peace in Ladakh and extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Gupta added that a curfew had been imposed for a period of time.
He said the Central Government has agreed to begin dialogue on the demands, and yet certain groups tried to create chaos, which he described as against Ladakh’s traditions.
LG Gupta said security forces, including CRPF and police personnel, had faced stone-pelting and attacks, and he called for accountability for those responsible.
He added that efforts were being made to safeguard the future of youth, including jobs, education, and tourism, and that any attempts to ruin livelihoods or records would not be tolerated. A curfew had been imposed, he noted, and he extended condolences to families of those who lost their lives. He appealed for collective efforts to restore peace and said measures were being taken to prevent further casualties in Ladakh.
District Magistrate Leh, Romil Singh Donk while addressing the media in the evening said that hunger strike was started by Sonam Wangchuk on September 10 to demand statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in Sixth Schedule. “Since then the protesters on daily basis issued provocative statements. In the aftermath of this several individuals started circulating the voice messages on the What’s app groups and other social media platforms, asking people to gather at NDS memorial park.”
“Today the protesters moved outside the venue and marched towards the LAHDC council office where there was police deployment. They pelted stones and tried to enter the office complex. Police supported by the CRPF tried to block their entry. However, a few protesters entered the LAHDC office and set it ablaze,” he added.
The unrest comes during a two-week hunger strike by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been demanding statehood for Ladakh and the inclusion of the region under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Following the clashes, Wangchuk broke his fast after 15 days. He shared a video message on his X handle urging the youth to maintain peace and refrain from violence. The protest was called by the youth wing of the Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) after two of the 15 individuals on a 35-day hunger strike since September 10 were hospitalized on Tuesday evening due to deteriorating health.
“I urge the youth to reject violence, it goes against everything we’ve worked for over the past five years,” said Sonam Wangchuk, appealing with folded hands. “Our movement has always been peaceful, through strikes, marches, and even walking from Leh to Delhi, but we’ve received no response. This unrest is the result of continued silence. I sincerely appeal to the government to show sensitivity towards Ladakh and to the youth to continue on the path of non-violence.”
Authorities announced the cancellation of the final day of Ladakh festival, including the planned closing ceremony.
The Lieutenant Governor, Kavinder Gupta, was scheduled to attend the festival’s closing event. In an official statement, the Department of Information and Public Relations said, “The administration regrets the inconvenience caused to local artists, cultural troupes, tourists, and residents due to the cancellation. We thank everyone for their support and participation in the festival so far.”
Sajjad Kargili, a prominent leader of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), said the situation in Leh was unfortunate and that Ladakh, once peaceful, was now gripped by frustration and insecurity due to the government’s failed Union Territory experiment.
He added that the onus was on the government to resume dialogue, act sensibly, and fulfill Ladakh’s demand for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule without delay. He also appealed to people to remain peaceful and steadfast.
Chairman Thupstan Tswang, speaking on behalf of the Apex Body, said the movement in Ladakh had been continuing for a long time on four key issues, including statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule.
He offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and said their sacrifices would not be allowed to go in vain. He said the people of Ladakh had been pursuing their demands within the framework of the Constitution and democratic norms.
Tswang said Ladakh’s sensitive location on the border required that such incidents be avoided in the interest of national security. “We know there are two enemies on our borders, and they can take advantage of such situations,” he said.
He appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Government of India to begin dialogue with the High Power Committee without delay. According to him, the Apex Body, the Kargil Democratic Alliance, and the people of Ladakh have already reached a common position on the demand for statehood and Sixth Schedule.
