At least four people were killed and 60 injured today in Leh, Ladakh, as protests over demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule protections turned violent. Protesters set fire to the local BJP office and a police car, prompting police to disperse the crowd using tear gas and baton charges. What began as a call for a peaceful shutdown by youth groups escalated into clashes with police, forcing the administration to impose strict curfew measures and heightening tensions across the region.
Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta ordered curfew under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. Authorities restricted the assembly of groups of five or more people and stated that pre-permissions were required to engage in a rally or procession.
Hunger Strike and Shutdown
The shutdown escalated when two of the 15 hunger strikers, led by Wangchuk, who began their strike on September 10, were hospitalized. Wangchuk terminated his 15-day hunger strike on Tuesday, triggering a call for “peace,” just prior to unrest that occurred immediately afterward. He said, “This incident brought to an end our peaceful protests that had happened for the last five years. We saw today the frenzy of Gen-Z. I understand their frustration, but I condemn the way they chose to protest.”
Statements from Leaders
Leh Apex Body (LAB) Chairman Thupstan Tswang, in conversation with ANI, stated, “With this violence, 2-3 youth have become martyrs. We have been carrying out a movement for the four causes of Ladakh in the future. Their martyrdom will not be in vain.”
Former J&K director general of police Sesh Paul Vaid, who is also based in Leh, pleaded with the people to maintain peace. He tweeted on X, “Violence in Leh is concerning, sad, and disturbing. My heartfelt request to the Ladakhi brothers and sisters: violence is not the answer.”
Background of the Ladakh Statehood Protests
On August 5, 2019, Ladakh attained Union Territory status after the revocation of Article 370. UT status was initially welcomed, but calls for statehood and protections of the Sixth Schedule to protect the environment, culture, and tribal rights have followed.
The unrest and demands for rights, now led by LAB’s youth organization, have also brought into the fold unrelated groups, such as the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). Both groups have previously submitted many demands to the center.
Discussions and Government Reply
On October 6, the Centre will hold fresh talks with Ladakh leaders, including LAB and KDA members. Protestors, however, are seeking it to be accelerated, given the long hours of fasting and growing unrest.
Wangchuk urged calm again: “I used to be young enough to refrain from setting fire and confrontation. We are breaking our fast, and I’m asking the administration to cease fire (to disperse) with tear gas, etc. If any hunger strike becomes a drama for which a life is lost (in violence), then they are not successful.”
Fallout of the Ladakh Statehood Protests
The authorities had canceled the annual Ladakh Festival’s closing ceremony due to circumstances beyond their control. The officials expressed regret at the possible inconvenience to artists, groups, tourists, and locals.
Omar Abdullah Attacks BJP
Former Chief Minister of J&K Omar Abdullah condemned the BJP in relation to the unrest involving Ladakh. He tweeted, through X: “Ladakh was not promised statehood. They were glad to be granted UT status in 2019, but feel fooled at this time. Try to understand now about how we in J&K feel, when your promise of statehood has not been fulfilled based on a democratic movement and peaceful struggles.”
In a previous address to ANI, Abdullah said it was “unfair” that statehood had not been restored for J&K. He argued statehood should not be held back because the BJP could not win elections. “It was not said that statehood will be restored when election results favor the BJP,” he said.
For more –https://civiclens.in/sonam-wangchuk-ladakh-protests/
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