The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday said the situation in Ladakh had been brought under control after a day of violent protests over statehood, which
left four people dead and at least 80 others injured, including 40 police personnel. In a statement, the ministry said order was restored by 4 PM and appealed to people not to circulate old or provocative videos on social media. "Barring unfortunate incidents that happened early in the day, the situation in Ladakh is brought under control by 4 pm," the statement said, as quoted by PTI. The government added it remains committed to addressing the aspirations of Ladakhis by providing "adequate constitutional safeguards." The violence erupted in Leh as protesters demanding statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule clashed with police and paramilitary forces. Demonstrators set fire to vehicles and vandalized offices, including the local BJP headquarters and the Hill Council, officials said. Teargas shells were used to disperse crowds. Officials described the unrest as the worst violence in the region since 1989. With six of the injured reported to be in critical condition, the death toll could rise, they warned.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike since September 10 in support of the demands, called off his fast on Wednesday evening after the situation spiralled. "This is the saddest day for Ladakh and for myself personally... We will keep our agitation non-violent and I also want to ask the government to listen to our message of peace," he told supporters.
Authorities imposed a curfew across Leh district as a precautionary measure. Lt. Governor Kavinder Gupta said the violence was “not spontaneous” but part of a conspiracy. “We will not spare those people who have spoiled the atmosphere here,” he said, urging youth to restore peace.
The Centre alleged that the unrest was fueled by “provocative statements” from Wangchuk and other politically motivated individuals opposed to ongoing dialogue between Ladakhi groups and the government. Talks have been taking place through the High Powered Committee (HPC), which is scheduled to meet next on October 6.
The protests were led by the youth wing of the Leh Apex Body after two hunger strikers were hospitalised Tuesday. Their demands include statehood, extension of the Sixth Schedule, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil, and job reservations.
The region last saw major violence in 1989 during protests for Union Territory status, which later materialised in 2019 when Ladakh was carved out of Jammu and Kashmir.
