Leh, Ladakh, September 24 — Protests in Leh demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh escalated into violence on Wednesday, with demonstrators pelting stones at police, torching the local BJP office and setting a police van ablaze, marking the first such clashes in the region’s ongoing agitation, according to details received by The Chenab Times.
Hundreds of protesters, including students supporting climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s 15-day hunger strike, observed a complete shutdown and marched through Leh streets, shouting slogans against the central government. The unrest, led by the Leh Apex Body (LAB), targeted the BJP headquarters, where arson led to heavy smoke, as reported by NDTV. Police responded with tear gas shells and lathi charges to disperse the crowds after stone pelting, with a Central Reserve Police Force vehicle also set on fire.
The violence unfolded ahead of scheduled talks on October 6 between Ladakh representatives and the Union Home Ministry, following stalled negotiations. Protesters seek full statehood, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule for tribal protections, two Lok Sabha seats and Scheduled Tribe status for local communities. Wangchuk ended his fast amid the chaos, urging calm to avoid further trouble.
Ladakh, carved as a Union Territory in August 2019 after Article 370’s abrogation, has seen rising discontent over direct central rule, with Leh’s Buddhist and Kargil’s Muslim groups uniting under LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance. A high-level committee formed in 2023 yielded no breakthroughs, including a March meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah, where demands were reportedly rejected.
Authorities imposed Section 163 to curb assembly, deploying heavy security. No injuries were immediately reported, and the situation was brought under control by afternoon. The Home Ministry confirmed the October talks will proceed.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
