Leh, October 2: The Leh deputy commissioner has ordered a magisterial inquiry into last month’s firing by security forces that left four people dead during a shutdown in Leh town. Nubra Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mukul Beniwal has been appointed inquiry officer.
In a public notice, Beniwal said the committee will examine the circumstances that led to the September 24 clashes, police action, and the deaths of four civilians. “Members of the public who have information that may assist the inquiry are invited to meet me between October 4 and 18 during office hours at the deputy commissioner’s conference hall,” he announced.
The firing occurred during a bandh called by the Apex Body Leh, which has been demanding statehood for Ladakh and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule. Those killed were identified as Jigmet Dorjey of Kharnak, Rinchen Dadul of Hanu, Stanzin Namgail of Igoo, and Tsewang Tharchin of Skurbuchan.
Meanwhile, 26 people arrested after the clashes have been granted interim bail by a Leh court and are likely to be released on Thursday. Curfew restrictions in Leh were relaxed for the second straight day, with markets allowed to remain open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ladakh lieutenant governor Kavinder Gupta said the administration is committed to meeting public aspirations. “The Centre is working to fulfil all hopes of Ladakh, and the matter will be resolved soon,” Gupta said. He added that he had not refused any meeting requests in the last two months and stressed that dialogue was possible if an atmosphere for talks was created.
Gupta said job creation efforts were underway, with about 1,000 posts advertised and initiatives to expand opportunities in tourism, education and health. “There are 18,000 MSME units involving over 50,000 people,” he noted.
However, the Apex Body Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have refused to attend talks with the Centre scheduled for October 6, saying they will not engage until climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and others detained during the protests are released and a judicial probe into the firing is ordered. Wangchuk, the face of the agitation, has been booked under the National Security Act and lodged in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur jail.
Four civilians were killed and scores injured in the September 24 clashes, while over 50 people were taken into custody for alleged rioting.
