Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Violence erupted in Leh on Wednesday after weeks of peaceful hunger strike over Ladakh’s demand for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule. Protesters torched the BJP office and a CRPF van, leaving four people dead and nearly 60 injured. Authorities imposed curfew and deployed additional forces across sensitive areas.
The shutdown was triggered after 15 hunger strikers were shifted to hospital as their health deteriorated. A mass gathering called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB), supported by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), turned violent when youths pelted stones. Police responded with teargas and baton charges.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been leading the protests since September 10, described the unrest as a “Gen Z revolution” born of unemployment and frustration. In a video message, he appealed to youth to shun violence, stressing that peaceful struggle remained the movement’s path.
The agitation follows Ladakh’s 2019 separation from Jammu and Kashmir, which left the region without a legislature. Protesters are demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule to protect Ladakh’s tribal identity and fragile ecosystem. Talks between the Centre, LAB, and KDA were scheduled for October 6.
The violence also disrupted the annual Ladakh Festival, cancelled midway by authorities. Meanwhile, BJP leaders blamed the Congress for instigating the unrest, while the opposition linked the protests to youth anger across the country.
The Home Ministry in a statement on Wednesday (Sep 24) accused climate activist Sonam Wangchuk for the violent protests in the Leh, in which four people were dead and over 60 injured. Protesters were demanding statehood for Ladakh and implementation of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The Ministry of Home Affairs said Wangchuk’s “provocative statements” triggered the unrest. According to officials, his hunger strike and speeches encouraged the crowd and later they attacked BJP and government offices, set vehicles and buildings on fire and injured more than 30 police and CRPF personnel.
Meanwhile, recently appointed Lt. Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta appeals for peace & calm after deadly violence in Leh today in which 4 people were killed and 70 injured. The former BJP J&K State BJP President Gupta says some elements trying to provoke violence since last two days and compare Ladakh situation with Nepal and Bangladesh.
