The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Leh town was put on fire by agitating youth affiliated to Ladakh Apex Body (LAB). A CRPF police vehicle parked outside the office was also set afire by the agitators on September 24, according to official reports. This then led to baton charge and teargas shelling by the police to control the rampaging mobs. The protestors were demanding 6th schedule guarantees be extended to entire Ladakh region and it be converted into a full-fledged state.
The violent protests have led to the cancellation of celebrations during the fourth and last day of Ladakh Festival. First three days of the festival had attracted good crowds during the festivities which offered a variety of cultural extravaganza. The last day’s concluding function was to be attended by Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta, a BJP leader who had taken charge barely a month ago.
“The administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh has announced cancellation of the last day and closing ceremony of the ongoing Ladakh Festival due to unavoidable circumstances. The administration deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to all stakeholders including local artists, cultural troupes, tourists and the people of Ladakh who were eagerly looking forward to the event,’’ an official note said.
These two demands are to be discussed between representatives of Ladakh who are leading the agitation and a Central team in Delhi on October 6. The protestors were raising slogans that these stalled talks be started immediately and waiting for the scheduled date was unnecessary delay on the part of the Central government. Incidentally, the Ladakh representatives have been in talks with a Central team earlier. However, for several months, the talks have reached a stage of stalemate and there has been no contact by way of a meaningful dialogue between the two sides.
Meanwhile, the District Magistrate of Leh has imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, citing possible disturbance to public peace and danger to human life. The order issued by the DM bans rallies, processions, and gatherings of five or more people without prior permission, prohibits the use of loudspeakers without approval, and bars statements that could disrupt public tranquillity.
The order also warns that any violation will invite action under Section 223 of BNSS 2023.
It may be mentioned here that the Ladakh representatives comprise people from both Kargil and Leh districts. Those from Leh district are chosen by Leh Apex Body (LAB) and those from the Kargil district are grouped together under the aegis of Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
The youth wing of LAB had called for a protest and bandh after the condition of two persons sitting on a hunger strike for past 35 days worsened on Tuesday. They had to be hospitalised thereafter and this added fuel to the anger of the youth. These two were part of a group of 15 people who are sitting on a hunger strike for the last 35 days.
The ongoing agitation in Ladakh demanding statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule entered its 14th day on Wednesday, with tensions flaring in Leh after two women protesters fell ill and had to be hospitalised. The protesters admitted to the hospital have been identified as Sri Anchuk and Anchuk Dolma. The incident provoked unrest among the gathering, leading to stone pelting at the Leh Autonomous Hill District Council (LAHDC) building. Security forces were deployed in large numbers to control the situation, which officials described as tense but under control.
Prominent social activist Sonam Wangchuk is leading the hunger strike this time also just as he was doing it in the past. Some months ago, when he had organised protests, many media teams from Delhi had reached Leh to report on the issue. Some social activists affiliated to leftist groups had also reached out to him, expressing solidarity with the issues he had raised.
The ongoing agitation in Ladakh demanding statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule entered its 14th day on Wednesday, with tensions flaring in Leh after two women protesters fell ill and had to be hospitalised.
“Our demand is immediate action. The people of Ladakh cannot wait any longer,” one protesting leader said. Sajad Kargali, a member of the organising committee in Kargil, said that Kargil will observe a complete shutdown tomorrow, on Thursday in support of the agitation. “The movement is gaining momentum. Tomorrow, Kargil will remain shut to show solidarity and send a strong message to New Delhi,” he said.
Over the past two weeks, the protest has drawn large crowds, with men, women and youth actively participating. Protesters continue to demand constitutional safeguards and political rights for Ladakh, while authorities have kept security arrangements tight around sensitive buildings and protest sites.
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