• Source:JND
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Ladakh Protest: Ladakh’s once thriving tourism sector has been left reeling after the recent unrest in Leh, following the arrest of prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. What was already a difficult season for local tourism due to the Pahalgam attack earlier in April has now worsened as fresh protests and violence have triggered a wave of cancellations. Tour operators and hoteliers say the situation is unprecedented.

The protests, which turned violent on September 24, have caused major disruptions in Leh town. An indefinite curfew was imposed the same day, leaving many visitors stranded with no access to basic services or transport. Internet and mobile networks have also been shut down, deepening the crisis for both locals and tourists.

The violence erupted during a shutdown called by a constituent of the Leh Apex Body, an organisation that has been demanding statehood for Ladakh and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to the region. The clashes left at least four people dead and over 150 injured, marking one of the most serious incidents in recent times.

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“The cancellation of advance bookings by our guests has been continuing on an almost daily basis for the last one week. There is shortage of merchandise due to closure of the town since last Wednesday,” said Naseeb Singh, a hotel manager, speaking to PTI. Singh, who has spent nearly ten years working in the tourism sector in Leh, added, “this is the first time he is witnessing such a situation in the town, which is otherwise a peaceful region.”

Rigzin Dorjey, a local transporter, echoed the concern. He noted that Ladakh’s tourism industry was already struggling to recover from the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people and heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan.

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“The Pahalgam incident virtually paralysed the tourism sector in Ladakh. We started receiving guests only a month after Operation Sindoor. But Wednesday's incident has once again hit us hard,” Dorjey told PTI.

Tourists currently in Leh are feeling the brunt of the ongoing curfew and communication blackout. Many arrived unaware of the unrest and have since found themselves stuck indoors with limited access to essential services.

“Upon my arrival here, to my shock, I found that everything was closed. I was not even able to exchange my currency and buy food. I was planning some sightseeing in Pangong lake but I failed to get the permit,” said Sheena, a tourist from Taiwan, speaking to PTI. She added that she hopes the situation will improve soon.

Another visitor from Delhi expressed frustration over the shutdown, saying, “We could not go anywhere due to restrictions and hopefully, everything will be fine soon.”

Others shared similar experiences of disruption and disappointment. “We came to see Ladakh's mountains and monasteries, but now we are just stuck in our rooms. Everyone here is simply wishing that peace returns soon,” said another tourist in Leh.