20 detained, security up, curfew imposed in Leh
Three among the injured in Wednesday’s clashes are citizens of Nepal and police are probing if there is a foreign hand behind the violence.
At least 20 people were detained as police and paramilitary forces strictly implemented curfew on Thursday in violence-hit Leh, where four people were killed and nearly 100, including police and paramilitary personnel, were injured during Wednesday’s clashes.
The police personnel were seen patrolling in the area, a day after violence erupted over statehood demands on the day 15 of a hunger strike led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
The situation was normal throughout the day with no incident of violence reported from anywhere from the district. Police said that curfew remained imposed across Leh town while around 20 people were detained. “The situation was stable as restrictions remained in force. There was no untoward incident anywhere. We have detained 20 people related to violence,” said incharge additional SP, Leh, Rigzin Sangdup.
Ministry of Union home affairs cancelled the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA) license of Sonam Wangchuk’s NGOs FCRA , a day after the violent protest, while there were apprehensions of his arrest after the Centre blamed him for instigating the violence.
Wangchuk, while rejecting the charges of Centre, said that they were trying to find a scapegoat. “To say it was instigated by me, or sometimes by Congress, is to find a scapegoat, rather than addressing the core of the problem, and this will lead us nowhere. They may be clever in making somebody else a scapegoat, but they are not wise. At this time, we all need wisdom rather than ‘cleverness’ because people are already frustrated,” he told news agency PTI.
{{/usCountry}}Wangchuk, while rejecting the charges of Centre, said that they were trying to find a scapegoat. “To say it was instigated by me, or sometimes by Congress, is to find a scapegoat, rather than addressing the core of the problem, and this will lead us nowhere. They may be clever in making somebody else a scapegoat, but they are not wise. At this time, we all need wisdom rather than ‘cleverness’ because people are already frustrated,” he told news agency PTI.
{{/usCountry}}“I see they are building up a case to bring me under the Public Safety Act and throw me in jail for two years,” he said, adding, “I am ready for that, but Sonam Wangchuk in jail may cause them more problems than free Sonam Wangchuk.”
{{/usCountry}}“I see they are building up a case to bring me under the Public Safety Act and throw me in jail for two years,” he said, adding, “I am ready for that, but Sonam Wangchuk in jail may cause them more problems than free Sonam Wangchuk.”
{{/usCountry}}LG chairs review meeting
Ladakh lieutenant governor Kavinder Gupta chaired a high-level security review meeting on Thursday. “He emphasised the need for heightened vigilance, seamless inter-agency coordination, & proactive measures to safeguard peace, security, & public order across UT,” the office of the LG said.
A shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) -- to advance talks with the Centre on demand for statehood and extension of Sixth Schedule to Ladakh -- had descended into violence, arson and street clashes on Wednesday.
Strict prohibitory restrictions banning assembly of five or more persons have been placed in other major towns as well, including Kargil where a shutdown was called by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) in support of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was leading the hunger strike. Wangchuk’s fortnight-long hunger strike was called off after clashes broke out in Leh town. The protesters had set ablaze the BJP office and several vehicles, besides vandalising the Hill Council headquarters, prompting promulgation of an indefinite curfew in the town.
Officials said heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel in riot gear was made in Kargil, Zanskar, Nubra, Padam, Changtang, Drass and Lamayuru.
Kargil district magistrate Rakesh Kumar issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in the entire district, banning assembly of five or more persons, taking out processions or holding demonstrations without prior written permission of the competent authority.
Restrictions were also imposed on the use of loudspeakers, sound amplifying devices, or vehicle-mounted public address systems without authorisation. Besides, no person shall make any public statement, speech, or declaration -- whether verbal, written, or through electronic means -- which is likely to disturb public peace, provoke enmity, or cause a breach of law and order in the district, the official order said.
Representatives to go to Delhi
The LAB and KDA have been spearheading an agitation in the last four years pressing for their demands on statehood and extension of Sixth Schedule. They have held several rounds of talks with the Central government in the past. The next round of talks is scheduled on October 6.
LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay said that Leh was completely shut due to the restrictions. “The situation is normalising and restrictions are in force. Though the security forces are allowing movement of few people or occasional vehicles,” he said, adding that the LAB and KDA have decided to send a team of six members to Delhi. “The date has not been fixed yet but 3 people each from LAB and KDA are going to Delhi on the issue,” he said.
Centre urged to address demands
The Union Territory of Ladakh was created on August 5, 2019 after the Centre effectively abrogated Article 370, which used to bestow special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and split the erstwhile state into two UTs – J&K with a legislative assembly and Ladakh without one.
Since then, protests have rocked Ladakh and had echoes in Delhi. In February 2024, thousands protested in Delhi, Leh and other parts of Ladakh demanding statehood and safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. In 2023, the Union home ministry formed a high-powered committee under minister of state for home, Nityanand Rai, to discuss ways to protect Ladakh’s unique culture and language, considering its location and strategic importance.
LAHDC, Kargil, chairman and chief executive councillor Mohd Jaffer Akhoon condemned the use of force against the public in Leh. He urged the people to maintain law and order and place their trust in peaceful means of expression. Akhoon assured the Centre that the LAHDC is always ready to engage in talks for the larger interest of the people of Ladakh. He appealed to the Government of India to address the concerns of Ladakh in the high-powered committee talks coming up.
Mirwaiz appeals to Centre
Hurriyat leader and Jamia Masjid, Srinagar, head priest Mirwaiz Umar Farooq urged the Centre to fulfil promises made to people of Ladakh. “Deeply saddened by the loss of precious human life in Ladakh protests. The aftershocks of the unilateral decision of dismemberment and downgrading of the state of J&K, and the unkept promises made to its people thereafter, are bearing these unfortunate consequences. Hope promises made to people of Ladakh are honoured and lives saved,” he posted on X.
