Protests over statehood for Ladakh turned violent on Wednesday after the health of two supporters of educationist Sonam Wangchuk—who is on a 35-day hunger strike—deteriorated.
Tensions flared in Ladakh’s Leh district on Wednesday after demonstrations in support of statehood turned violent, leaving the region on edge. The protests were triggered by the deteriorating health of two individuals backing educationist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a 35-day hunger strike demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Hundreds of youths poured onto the streets of Leh, accusing the Centre of dragging its feet on Ladakh’s political demands and “denying constitutional rights” to the Union Territory. The protesters marched towards the office of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), where they attempted to storm the premises.
Police blocked the mob’s entry, sparking clashes. Demonstrators resorted to stone-pelting at security personnel and the building, while several vehicles in the vicinity were set on fire. In response, police fired tear gas shells and resorted to baton charges to bring the situation under control.
The Centre has been holding periodic negotiations with the region’s two key representative groups—the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)—for the past three years. However, talks have so far failed to yield a breakthrough on the core demand for statehood and constitutional safeguards.
In solidarity with the Leh protests, the KDA announced a complete shutdown in Kargil on Thursday. Authorities have deployed additional security across Leh and Kargil districts to prevent further escalation. As of late Wednesday, the situation in Leh remained tense but under control.
