LEH, Ladakh, September 24:— Four people were killed and at least 30 others injured on Wednesday as clashes broke out between protesters and security forces during a shutdown in Leh town, officials said. Police fired to control the unrest after demonstrators, advocating statehood for Ladakh and extension of the Sixth Schedule, turned violent, attacking a BJP office and several vehicles.
The protesters claimed the four fatalities resulted from police firing. Amid the violence, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a 15-day hunger strike supporting the movement, ended his fast. Flames and thick smoke rose across the town as the shutdown brought normal life to a standstill.
Authorities imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS, barring gatherings of five or more people.
“I request the youth of Ladakh to stop the violence forthwith as it only causes harm to our cause and further deteriorates the situation. We do not want instability in Ladakh and the country,” Wangchuk told supporters gathered at the strike venue. He also shared a video message on his X account urging young people to remain peaceful.
The Leh Apex Body youth wing had called for the protest after two of the 15 hunger strikers, who had been fasting since September 10, were hospitalized on Tuesday evening due to deteriorating health. Responding to the call, Leh town shut down, and crowds gathered at NDS Memorial Ground before marching through streets chanting slogans supporting statehood and Sixth Schedule protections, officials said.
The demonstration escalated as protesters attempted to storm the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) office. When police blocked their entry, the crowd began pelting stones at the building and security personnel. Several vehicles were set ablaze, prompting police to respond with tear gas and baton charges.
Groups of youth also targeted a BJP office, setting fire to furniture, papers, and a security vehicle. Reinforcements were later deployed, and authorities said the situation was brought under control after hours of clashes.
Ladakh’s key representative bodies — the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) — have been in discussions with the Central Government for nearly three years over demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards. A fresh round of talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs is scheduled for October 6.
In solidarity with the hunger strikers and ongoing agitation, the KDA announced a full shutdown in Kargil on Thursday. Heavy police deployment has been reported across both Leh and Kargil districts.
