Leh Under Curfew After Protest Deaths: Tension Grips Ladakh
Leh town in Ladakh is on edge, with curfew continuing a day after four local men lost their lives during violent protests. Their bodies were handed over to families on Thursday for the last rites, while dozens of people have been detained in a sweeping crackdown.
Grief and Last Rites
The four who died — identified as Tsewang Tharchin (46), Jigmet Dorjay (25), Stanzin Namgyal (23), and Rinchen Dadul (20) — belonged to different villages in the region. Tharchin was a retired soldier from the Ladakh Scouts. As per the families’ wishes, all were cremated in Leh with full respect, in coordination with the Ladakh Buddhist Association.
Clashes and Casualties
The unrest broke out on Wednesday near the BJP office and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council building, leaving dozens injured, including both civilians and security personnel. Authorities confirmed that at least 15 people were seriously wounded, one of whom had to be airlifted to Delhi for treatment. Around 30 more suffered minor injuries, and nearly 30 security personnel were hurt in the clashes.
Security forces imposed curfew, made extra deployments across the town, and used loudspeakers mounted on vehicles to warn residents against stepping out.
Demands Behind the Protests
The violence erupted on the 15th day of a hunger strike led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and his supporters. Their protest is aimed at pressing the Indian government for statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which provides special protections to certain regions and communities.
Leaders from both the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have called for a judicial inquiry into the deaths, pointing out that several protesters had bullet and pellet wounds. They alleged the police fired indiscriminately instead of handling the situation peacefully.
Political Reactions
Officials from the Union Home Ministry have met with local leaders in Leh. A follow-up meeting in Delhi is being planned, where representatives from LAB, KDA, and Ladakh’s Member of Parliament are expected to participate.
Meanwhile, Ladakh’s Lieutenant-Governor has warned that those who engaged in violence “will not be spared.” A high-level security review has been held, and the District Magistrate has ordered all schools in Leh district to remain closed for two days.
In Kargil, residents observed a complete shutdown in solidarity with the people of Leh. Shops, schools, and offices remained shut following a call from the KDA.
Local leaders strongly criticized the use of extreme force. “Instead of sympathizing with people, authorities resorted to firing. Peaceful protestors have been treated like criminals,” said KDA co-chairman Asger Ali Karbalai. Ladakh’s MP, Haji Hanifa, added, “Force should never have been used so harshly against a population known for its peace-loving nature.”
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