Ladakh Protests Turn Deadly: 4 Killed, Dozens Injured in Leh; Centre Says Situation Under Control

Violence erupted in Leh on Wednesday during protests demanding Ladakh’s statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, leaving four people dead and at least 80 injured, including 40 police personnel. The unrest coincided with a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB), which has been campaigning for statehood for five years. Protesters set fire to a BJP office, a police vehicle, and several private cars.

The Union Home Ministry later stated that the situation was under control by 4 pm and urged the public not to circulate old or inflammatory videos on social media. “Except for the regrettable incidents earlier in the day, the situation in Ladakh was brought under control by 4 pm,” the ministry said, reaffirming the central government’s commitment to meeting the aspirations of Ladakh’s people through appropriate constitutional safeguards.

Police and paramilitary forces used tear gas to disperse crowds and restore order. Residents have also been pressing for Ladakh’s inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, which provides for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.

Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike

Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 15-day hunger strike following the clashes. At a press conference, he said he suspended his fast to help stabilize the situation and condemned the violence. He emphasized that no political party was behind the unrest, appealing to young people to reject violence. Posting on X, he said, “Very sad by the events in Leh. My message of the peaceful path failed today. I appeal to the youth to please stop this nonsense. This only damages our cause.”

Centre, Political Reactions

The Union Home Ministry suggested the unrest was fueled by “provocative statements” by Wangchuk and dissatisfaction among some politically motivated figures with ongoing government talks.

Opposition parties urged a sensitive approach and an on-ground assessment of the unrest. Left parties blamed the BJP-led Centre for the crisis, accusing it of ignoring statehood demands and undermining federalism.

Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah said the Leh violence highlighted the frustration over denied statehood, noting that Ladakh had celebrated UT status in 2019. Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi called for direct government engagement, expressing shock at the violence in a normally peaceful region.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Amit Malviya accused the Congress of instigating the unrest, posting on X that a Congress councillor could be seen leading the mob targeting the BJP office and Hill Council.