SRINAGAR: Authorities in Leh detained 48 individuals during early morning raids on Thursday, a day after four protesters were killed and over 80 injured in violent clashes with security forces during a demonstration demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh.
The region remained under strict curfew on Thursday, though relative calm returned. Streets in Leh were largely deserted, with only official vehicles moving under the watch of police, paramilitary forces, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) patrols. District Magistrate Romil Singh Donk ordered the closure of all schools and colleges for two days starting September 26.
At Sonam Norboo Memorial Hospital, where a large number of injured were rushed on Wednesday, the situation stabilised. Sources confirmed that four bodies were handed over to families after autopsies, and bullets recovered from the victims were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory in J&K. Of the injured, about 60 were discharged, while one patient in critical condition is being shifted to AIIMS.
Among the wounded were 20 security personnel. During the clashes, protesters torched the BJP office, vandalized public property, and hurled stones at security forces. Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta blamed the violence on “outsiders” and accused climate activist Sonam Wangchuk of inciting unrest through his “provocative statements.” Gupta also alleged that protesters attempted to set fire to a paramilitary vehicle.
Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike since September 9 demanding constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, ended his fast on Wednesday. Ladakhis have long sought inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which grants tribal regions in the Northeast autonomy over land, resources, and cultural preservation. Since Jammu & Kashmir was reorganized in 2019, resulting in Ladakh becoming a separate Union Territory, these demands have intensified.
The Centre had formed a high-powered committee in 2023 to address Ladakhi concerns, but talks so far have only led to a domicile policy, falling short of broader demands. A fresh round of dialogue is scheduled for October 6, but the lack of progress has deepened frustration among locals.
Ladakh MP Haji Mohammad Haneefa Jan called for an independent probe into the use of live bullets and pellets, describing the security response as “disproportionate”. Speaking in Kargil—where a shutdown was observed on the call of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)—he blamed the Centre for delaying dialogue and alienating youth. Curfew was also imposed in Kargil on Thursday.
Political Reactions Mount
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urged both sides to show restraint and called on the government to address the people’s legitimate demands. “Instead of blaming others, the administration must introspect and examine why such situations arise,” he said.
Farooq Abdullah, National Conference president, rejected the LG’s claims of “outsiders” fueling the unrest. “China is at our doorstep and has already taken control of our territory. It’s in India’s interest to resolve Ladakh’s issues through dialogue, not denial,” he warned.
Veteran Congress leader Karan Singh, son of the last Dogra ruler of J&K, also weighed in, urging Ladakhis to stay peaceful while calling on the Centre to consider constitutional protections. “Inclusion under the Sixth Schedule appears to be a fair and viable solution,” he said.
In a joint statement, Congress leaders from J&K and Ladakh accused the BJP and the Centre of ignoring long-standing demands related to land rights, jobs, cultural identity, and political representation. “Now they are indulging in blame games to distract from their failures. It’s an insult to the peaceful people of Ladakh,” the statement said.
