Curfew has been imposed in Ladakh following intense clashes in Leh that left four people dead and over 80 injured on Wednesday. At least 50 people were detained as police and paramilitary forces enforced strict restrictions across the violence-hit region.
The violence erupted during a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) to push for statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh. The protest spiraled into arson and street clashes, with agitators setting fire to the BJP office, torching vehicles, and vandalising the Hill Council headquarters. The situation prompted authorities to declare an indefinite curfew in Leh town.
Strict prohibitory orders banning gatherings of more than five people have also been enforced in Kargil, Zanskar, Nubra, Padam, Changtang, Drass, and Lamayuru. In Kargil, District Magistrate Rakesh Kumar invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, restricting rallies, demonstrations, and use of loudspeakers without official permission.
Officials said the unrest intensified after two hunger strikers from a 35-day protest led by LAB were hospitalised. Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been leading a hunger strike in support of Ladakh’s constitutional safeguards, called off his fast after the violence broke out. In an appeal, Wangchuk urged young protesters to stop the violence, saying it only harmed the cause. “This is the saddest day for Ladakh and for myself personally because our peaceful struggle has turned violent,” he said.
The Union Home Ministry alleged that the violence was triggered by “provocative statements” and “politically motivated individuals” unhappy with the progress of ongoing talks between the Centre and Ladakhi groups. It reiterated that the government remains committed to providing adequate constitutional safeguards for the people of Ladakh.
Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta condemned the violence, calling it a “conspiracy” and stressing that while peaceful protest is a democratic right, the clashes could not be justified.
Despite heavy security deployment, officials confirmed that three of the injured were Nepali nationals, and police are probing possible foreign links to the unrest. The LAB and KDA, spearheading the four-year agitation for Ladakh’s statehood and Sixth Schedule, are scheduled for another round of talks with the Centre on October 6.
