At least four civilians were killed, and over 50 others were injured after violent clashes broke out in Leh during the day-long shutdown call given by the youth wing of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) on Wednesday to protest against the Central Government over the issue of granting ‘statehood’ to the cold desert region of Ladakh and extending the Sixth Schedule status, which provides safeguards for tribal areas, including land rights and local governance.
As tensions mounted and the situation was spiralling out of control, police resorted to heavy tear gas shelling and baton charges to disperse angry protesters who torched the local office of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), besides police vehicles parked in the middle of the road.
Four killed, 50 injured in Ladakh protests Social media videos captured thick clouds of smoke engulfing the streets, with protesters scattering amid blaring sirens and shouts of defiance.
To further contain the violence and restore order, the District Magistrate of Leh, Romil Singh Donk, on Wednesday imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, citing possible disturbance to public peace and danger to human life.
As street violence spiralled, Sonam Wangchuk ended his 15-day-long hunger strike and appealed to the youth to maintain peace.
Reacting to the escalating tensions in Leh, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in a post on X, commented, “Ladakh wasn’t even promised Statehood, they celebrated UT status in 2019 & they feel betrayed & angry. Now try to imagine how betrayed & disappointed we in J&K feel when the promise of statehood to J&K remains unfulfilled even though we have gone about demanding it democratically, peacefully & responsibly”.
People’s Democratic Party Chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, in a post on X, said, “It’s time the Government of India undertakes a sincere and thorough appraisal of what has truly changed since 2019. This video isn’t from the Kashmir Valley, considered the epicentre of unrest, but from the heart of Ladakh, where angry protesters have set police vehicles and a BJP office on fire.
Leh, a region long known for its peaceful and measured protests, is now witnessing a disturbing shift toward violent demonstrations. People seem to have lost patience, feel betrayed, insecure, and let down by unfulfilled promises. The Government must move beyond day-to-day crisis management and address the root causes of this discontent urgently and transparently”.
Earlier, the peaceful protest turned violent during the shutdown call given by the youth wing of the Leh Apex Body to expedite talks scheduled to take place between officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and representatives of the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) in New Delhi on October 6.
Tension was brewing in Ladakh since Tuesday after two protesters, on a hunger strike since September 10 along with prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuck, were hospitalised.
According to ground reports, a large number of supporters of the LAB, an amalgam of religious, social, and political organisations, assembled outside the BJP office in Leh to register their protest in support of their long-pending demands.
As slogan-shouting youth marched on and targeted some of the government vehicles parked in the close vicinity, the police tried to disperse the LAB protesters assembling outside the BJP office.
As tension mounted, the police used teargas shells to disperse the protesters. Several vehicles were also set on fire during the clashes between the BJP supporters and the LAB activists.
As street violence spiralled, Sonam Wangchuk ended his 15-day-long hunger strike and appealed to the youth to maintain peace. “Today, on the 15th day of our fast, I am deeply saddened to report that widespread violence and vandalism erupted in Leh city. Several offices and police vehicles were set on fire. Yesterday, two of those who had been on a 35-day fast here had to be taken to the hospital, in very critical condition. This sparked widespread anger, and a complete shutdown was declared across Leh today. Thousands of young people came out. Some people think they were our supporters. The entire Leh is our supporter. But this was a Gen Z revolution. They have been unemployed for the last 5 years... They are being excluded from jobs... I’ve always said that this is the recipe for social unrest: keeping young people unemployed and snatching away their democratic rights. There’s no democratic platform here today. The Sixth Schedule, which was announced and promised, hasn’t been heeded... I appeal to the young generation of Ladakh, not to follow this path of violence because it thwarts my five years of efforts. I’ve been fasting for so many years, marching peacefully, and then resorting to violence; this is not our path. I request the young generation to approach the government through peace. I want the government to listen to the message of peace. When they ignore peaceful protests and marches, such situations arise. I would urge the government to be sensitive about Ladakh and urge the younger generation to follow the path of peace. This (violence) path is not my path. It is a result of their anger. But this is not the time to vent their anger. It is time to have a calm, cool conversation with the government...”
Meanwhile, the KDA has also issued a shutdown call across the Kargil district on Thursday in support of the LAB and their demands.