This week, deadly protests shook Leh, Ladakh, as protests by thousands of people who demanded statehood led to the deaths of four people and dozens of others injured by security forces. It has since been placed under a strict curfew and dozens more have since been arrested in an effort to restore order. The disturbance is the most violent one happening in Ladakh since the year 2019 when this state seceded, after being split off Jammu and Kashmir.
Demonstrators demanded statehood, constitutional guarantees in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution which would give Ladakh better control over employment and land policy. Local activists headed by local activist Sonam Wangchuk and the Leh Apex Body, whose 35-day hunger strike ended when two of their members hospitalized in critical condition, served as the tipping point to the broader protests on the street.
On Wednesday youthful crowds—mainly of the young people—assembled upon the ground of the Martyrs at Leh. Teargas and baton charges by the police led to violence, and live fire was eventually used when government buildings including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office and the headquarters of local councils were attacked by protesters. Fire and arsons ravaged the capital and vehicles were burnt as well as property of the people.
The government of the Union accused politically minded activists and instigating social media speeches of fueling the unrest. At least 50 demonstrators have been arrested up to now, prohibitions on gatherings continue to be used in all of Leh. Even the current Ladakh festival is cancelled, and leaders of the area have called on people to calm down with more meetings with the central government planned tentatively in October.
In Ladakh, which is split into two parts: Leh with majority Buddhists and Kargil with majority Muslims, the situation was tense ever since it was granted union status in 2019. Although the community of Leh has demanded a separate regional identity, both Leh and Kargil are currently collaborating to lobby the restoration of statehood and autonomy- something uncharacteristic of solidarity in the region.
The level of security has also been heightened all over the region, and the authorities are keeping a close watch of the situation and are encouraging residents to stay at home. Sonam Wangchuk has also retracted his hunger strike and requested peace and inquiry into the reasons of violence.
