Insaaf Times Desk
In Ladakh, protests demanding statehood and special provisions under the Sixth Schedule turned violent on Wednesday, leaving four people dead and over 80 injured, including several police personnel.
The unrest escalated when the health of two prominent hunger strikers deteriorated, prompting their hospitalization. Protesters resorted to vandalism and arson at the local BJP office and also damaged police vehicles. In response, police used tear gas and conducted a baton charge. Reports of firing in some areas have also emerged.
Chering Dorjey, Chairman of the Leh Apex Body, said, “There was heavy firing in the town, resulting in four deaths and dozens of injuries. We are closely monitoring the situation.”
Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a 15-day hunger strike, ended his protest on Tuesday. However, tensions escalated after some youths resorted to stone-pelting. Wangchuk appealed to everyone to maintain peace.
The administration has imposed curfews in Leh and Kargil and deployed additional security forces in sensitive areas. A new round of talks between the central and local leaders has been proposed for October 6 to find a peaceful resolution in favor of the protesters, but the recent violence has cast doubts over the success of these negotiations.
Ladakh was carved out as a Union Territory separate from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. Local residents say that statehood and special provisions under the Sixth Schedule are essential to protect their land, culture, and employment.
