Despite strict restrictions imposed by authorities in Indian illegally occupied Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir and suspension of mobile internet services, a peaceful silent march was held in Kargil.
Call for the march was jointly given by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), as part of their ongoing agitation for their political rights, snatched after abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A.
Addressing on the occasion, KDA leaders condemned the restrictions in Leh. Indian police and paramilitary forces were deployed in large numbers across Leh and adjoining areas amid the call for a two-hour silent march and a three-hour blackout across Ladakh to express solidarity with those killed, injured, or detained during the September 24 violence.
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS were imposed, mobile internet services were suspended, and educational institutions were ordered closed to prevent gatherings.
LAB member and Anjuman Imamia president Ashraf Ali Barcha said that the authorities had “used their might to suppress a peaceful march,” calling it a reflection of administrative failure. Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam chief Abdul Qayoom said that LAB Co-chairman Chering Dorjay was placed under house arrest.
In Kargil, hundreds of people led by KDA leaders, including Co-chairman Asghar Ali Karbalai and Sajjad Kargili, held a peaceful protest march from Hussaini Park to the main bus stand, carrying placards in favour of their demands. Addressing the gathering, the leaders demanded the unconditional release of all detained persons, including climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, and compensation for families of those killed or injured in the September 24 incident.
Speaking to reporters, Karbalai denounced the curbs imposed in Leh, said, “Such oppressive steps are not acceptable to the peace loving people of Ladakh”.
