Authorities imposed curfew in Ladakh region of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir after Indian forces opened fire on demonstrators, killing at least four people and injuring as many as 100. At least 50 people have been detained by police and paramilitary forces. The protesters are demanding statehood and inclusion of Ladakh region in the Sixth Schedule
A shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) had descended into violence, arson and street clashes on Wednesday. Strict prohibitory restrictions banning assembly of five or more persons have been placed in other major towns as well, including Kargil. Heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel in riot gear was made in Kargil, Zanskar, Nubra, Padam, Changtang, Drass and Lamayuru.
“Curfew has been imposed as a precautionary measure to prevent more casualties,” Ladakh Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta said.
Kargil District Magistrate Rakesh Kumar issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in the entire district, banning assembly of five or more persons, taking out processions or holding demonstrations without prior written permission of the competent authority.
Restrictions were also imposed on the use of loudspeakers, sound amplifying devices, or vehicle-mounted public address systems without authorisation. Besides, no person shall make any public statement, speech, or declaration — whether verbal, written, or through electronic means — which is likely to disturb public peace, provoke enmity, or cause a breach of law and order in the district, the official order said.
The clampdown followed massive demonstrations during which protesters torched the BJP office and several police vehicles. The agitation was called after two hunger strikers, part of the ongoing 35-day fast led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, were hospitalized on Tuesday due to deteriorating health.
Sonam Wangchuk, while calling off his hunger strike, expressed deep remorse over the killings. He said the frustration of “Gen Z youth” was the trigger behind the violent eruption. “For five years we protested peacefully but nothing changed. The October 6 date given by the Indian Home Ministry for talks added to the dissatisfaction,” Wangchuk said in a press conference. He confirmed reports that three to four youths were shot dead by Indian forces.
Authorities also enforced prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), banning the assembly of five or more people across Leh.
The protests were part of the wider movement led by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) pressing for Ladakh’s constitutional safeguards and political rights.
