• Source:JND
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Ladakh Statehood Protest: Leh remained under strict restrictions on Thursday as police and paramilitary forces strictly enforced the curfew in the violence-hit town. Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta held a high-profile meeting to review the security situation and emphasised on the need for heightened vigilance and stronger inter-agency coordination. The LG appealed for peace, day after four people were killed and over 80 others were injured during widespread clashes for statehood and Sixth Schedule protections for Ladakh. As many as 50 protesters were detained by the police. The Union government meanwhile accused activist Sonam Wangchuk of "misleading the people".

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Leh Apex Body On Protest 

Meanwhile, the legal adviser of Leh Apex Body, which has been at the forefront of Ladakh's statehood protest, condemned the violence while raising questions over the police firing. Haji Ghulam Mustafa, who serves as a legal adviser to both Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, sought clarity on who gave the orders for police firing on protesters. Mustafa said, "We follow the Gandhian way, it has all been very peaceful, and the Government has been very cooperative. We have had multiple talks with the Government. I do not understand who gave the orders to shoot people."

Left Parties Slams Centre

Left parties took the opportunity to slam the Centre, with the CPI(M) accusing the ruling BJP of betraying the people of the region and the CPI(ML) Liberation holding the Union government "solely responsible" for the unrest. In a post on X, CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby alleged that the BJP had "betrayed" the people of Leh and Tripura, adding that while public anger is visible on the streets, attacking party offices is not the solution.

Here's A look At The latest developments In Ladakh

1. Activist Sonam Wangchuk began a hunger strike on September 10 demanding Sixth Schedule status and statehood for Ladakh, which escalated into violent clashes with police and public property damage.

2. The Union government accused Wangchuk of “misleading the people” by invoking Arab Spring-style protests and citing Gen Z demonstrations in Nepal.

3. Congress leader Pawan Khera described the loss of lives in Ladakh as tragic and criticized the government for failing to fulfill its 2019 assurances of peace in the region.

4. Former J&K DGP S.P. Vaid alleged that the Leh clashes were part of a "deep-rooted conspiracy" to derail talks between Ladakh’s leadership and the Centre.

5. The Ministry of Home Affairs said the government has been engaging with the Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance through the High-Powered Committee, achieving key outcomes like increased tribal reservations, women’s reservations, official recognition of Bhoti and Purgi languages, and recruitment of 1,800 posts.

6. Politically motivated individuals, according to the ministry, have attempted to sabotage the dialogue process despite the progress made under the High-Powered Committee.

7. Following violent incidents, strict prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more people were imposed across Leh and Kargil, with additional meetings of the High-Powered Committee scheduled for September 25, 26, and October 6.

8. During the unrest, protesters set fire to the BJP office, police vehicles, and Hill Council headquarters, prompting the imposition of an indefinite curfew in Leh. Four people were killed and at least 80 injured, including 40 police personnel.

ALSO READ: Leh Ladakh Protests: Centre Blames Wangchuk’s ‘Provocative Speeches’ As 4 Killed, Curfew Imposed; What We Know So Far

9. Wangchuk, while defending the protests, said the violence arose due to people’s anger with the BJP and expressed regret over the failure of peaceful activism in Ladakh.

10. The Centre and government officials urged people not to circulate provocative videos and blamed Wangchuk for inciting the mob, while BJP leaders accused the Congress of instigating riots in Leh.