A curfew was imposed in Leh on Thursday as police and paramilitary forces took stringent measures following violent clashes that left four people dead and over 89 others injured. The unrest began on Wednesday when a shutdown organized by the Leh Apex Body (LAB), aiming to push for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh, escalated into violence, prompting significant law enforcement action.
The violence erupted just a day before when protests turned chaotic, leading to incidents of arson and vandalism, including the destruction of the BJP office and vehicles. These events necessitated the enforcement of an indefinite curfew in Leh, with police arresting around 50 individuals suspected of involvement in the violence. “The situation in the curfew-bound areas is well under control. There are no untoward incidents reported from anywhere,” confirmed a police official.
In addition to Leh, major towns like Kargil also faced strict curfews. Kargil District Magistrate Rakesh Kumar issued directives under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, prohibiting the assembly of five or more persons and banning demonstrations without prior permission. Similar restrictions on loudspeakers and public statements aimed at maintaining public peace were introduced across the district.
Serious unrest began in Leh when two hunger strikers, part of a protest advocating for statehood, needed hospitalization due to deteriorating health. This incident triggered an immediate call for protests, leading to extensive unrest. Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike, called off his fast in response to the chaos, stating that he did not want further harm to come to their cause.
The LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have galvanized support for their demands over the past four years. They have engaged in several discussions with the Central government, with the next round of talks scheduled for October 6. Wangchuk, addressing his supporters, expressed sadness over the escalation of violence, noting, “This is the saddest day for Ladakh and for myself personally because the path we are treading for the last five years was peaceful.”
The Central government accused certain politically motivated groups of inciting the violence. A government statement emphasized their commitment to addressing the aspirations of the Ladakhi people while ensuring appropriate constitutional safeguards. The Ministry of Home Affairs reiterated that the recent mob violence stemmed from “provocative statements” made by activists.
Lt. Governor Kavinder Gupta described the violent incidents as the result of a conspiracy rather than spontaneous public unrest and stated that the curfew aimed to prevent further casualties. Police continue to investigate potential foreign influences behind the provocation of the violence, particularly given that three of the injured individuals were citizens of Nepal.
As law enforcement braces for potential further unrest, heavy deployments of police and paramilitary personnel were observed across various regions including Kargil, Zanskar, and Nubra. Authorities remain on high alert and are actively monitoring the situation to ensure compliance with the curfew and maintain public order.
In a showing of restraint and appeal for peace, Wangchuk addressed the youth of Ladakh. “I request the youth of Ladakh to stop the violence forthwith as it only causes harm to our cause and further deteriorates the situation,” he added, emphasizing their long-standing commitment to peaceful protest.
This escalation in Leh highlights the ongoing tension surrounding demands for greater autonomy in Ladakh. As talks with the Central government loom, the community watches closely to see if a resolution can be found without further bloodshed.
