Curfew continued in Leh for the third consecutive day on Friday following violent protests over statehood demands, even as a high-level Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) team held a series of meetings to assess the security situation.
The restrictions were imposed on Wednesday evening after clashes during a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) turned violent, leaving four people dead and 90 others injured. Officials said the overall situation in Ladakh remained peaceful on Friday, with no fresh incidents reported, but strict prohibitory orders under Section 144 banning assembly of five or more persons remain in force in Leh, Kargil, and other major towns.
Over 50 people have been detained since the violence. Police and paramilitary forces in riot gear continue to patrol the streets, which remain largely deserted. Residents in several areas complained of shortages of essentials such as milk, vegetables, and ration.
Leh District Magistrate Romil Singh Donk has ordered closure of all schools, colleges, and anganwadi centres for two days. Meanwhile, an MHA team that reached Leh on Thursday reviewed the situation with the Lieutenant Governor, civil and police officials, and LAB representatives.
The meeting concluded that a preparatory round of talks would be held in New Delhi on September 27 or 28, followed by an official meeting with a High-Powered Committee. The committee will include seven members each from LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), alongside Ladakh MP Mohd Hanifa Jan, to deliberate on a four-point agenda.
For the past four years, LAB and KDA have jointly spearheaded an agitation demanding statehood, Sixth Schedule status, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil, and a Public Service Commission. While some progress has been made on job guarantees and additional parliamentary representation, the core demand for statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards remains unresolved.
Shops and business establishments reopened in Kargil on Friday after observing a day-long shutdown. However, heavy security deployment continues in sensitive areas to prevent further unrest.
