Curfew imposed in Leh after violent clashes leave four dead, dozens injured

Protests in Leh turned violent on Wednesday

Authorities in Ladakh imposed a curfew across Leh district on Wednesday after violent clashes over the demand for statehood left at least four people dead and nearly 70 others injured. The unrest marks one of the most serious flare-ups in the Union Territory since its creation in 2019.

Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta confirmed the imposition of curfew, calling it a precautionary step after mobs set vehicles ablaze and attacked government and political offices. He described the day’s violence as part of a larger conspiracy and said action would be taken against those responsible.

"Those who instigated protests are responsible for deaths in Ladakh today," the Lt Governor said.

According to officials, security forces opened fire after demonstrators torched vehicles and set fire to the BJP office in Leh, pulling down party flags in the process. The Lt Governor said protesters even tried to "burn CRPF men inside the vehicle and vehicle of DGP Ladakh was also attacked by stone pelters".

Local leaders, however, accused the security forces of using excessive force. They claimed the firing on the protestors was disproportionate and unnecessary.

Meanwhile, urgent appeals were circulated on social media for blood donations as scores of injured people were admitted to local hospitals. Officials said the condition of several victims remains critical, while a number of police and security personnel were also hurt during stone-pelting.

Gupta stressed that the administration is working to bring the situation under control, even as political and religious leaders have called for calm.

Ladakh has seen recurring protests since its separation from Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019 and its subsequent designation as a Union Territory.

Initially welcomed by most sections of Leh’s population, including the prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk, the Union Territory status soon saw concerns over political representation and safeguards for land and culture.

In response to the development in the area, Buddhist-majority Leh and Muslim-majority Kargil leaders formed a rare joint platform, the Apex Body of Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, to press their demands.

Despite several rounds of dialogue with the Centre, including a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in March this year, no breakthrough was achieved. Talks collapsed soon after, with local leaders claiming the Home Minister had dismissed their key demands.

"During the meeting, the Home Minister told us that he had made a mistake by carving out Ladakh as a separate Union Territory. He also rejected our demand for statehood and the Sixth Schedule," one leader told NDTV.

The curfew in Leh underscores the fragile political climate in Ladakh, where frustration over the absence of statehood continues to escalate into street confrontations and political chaos.