Leh, Sept 25 — What began as a peaceful movement demanding full statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution spiraled into deadly violence on Wednesday, leaving four people dead and more than 60 injured.
Tensions boiled over when protesters, who had been staging hunger strikes for weeks, clashed with security forces. The situation escalated after police opened fire to disperse stone-pelting crowds. Arson and vandalism soon followed, transforming Leh’s usually calm streets into a battleground.
Enraged youth torched the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in Leh, set ablaze a CRPF vehicle, and attacked the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) building, sending thick plumes of smoke over the city. Several government and private properties sustained damage as reinforcements were rushed in from nearby districts.
In response, the Leh administration imposed curfew and enforced Section 144, banning gatherings of more than five people. Security has been tightened across the Union Territory, with paramilitary forces patrolling sensitive areas.
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh issued a stern warning, declaring, “Instigators will not be spared. Those attempting to disturb the peace and harmony of Ladakh will face strict action.”
The fresh wave of unrest comes amid growing anger in Ladakh, where political groups, student bodies, and civil society members have been pressing for constitutional safeguards, fearing large-scale land acquisition, demographic changes, and loss of indigenous rights after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Local leaders have appealed for calm, but the situation remains tense with communication services under watch and several protest leaders reportedly detained.
The Spark: From Hunger Strike to Street Fury
What started as a 35-day hunger strike on September 10 – led by 15 protesters, including seven former Indian Army soldiers – has exploded into the streets. The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) called for a total shutdown today, drawing thousands to Leh’s main market and NDS Memorial Ground.
At the core:
Demands for Ladakh’s elevation to full statehood and protection under the Sixth Schedule, which grants tribal areas autonomy over land, jobs, and resources. Protesters fear “corporate encroachment” on fragile pastures and a loss of Buddhist-Buddhist cultural identity since the region was carved out as a UT from Jammu & Kashmir in 2019.
Two strikers were hospitalized Tuesday with deteriorating health, igniting the march. By afternoon, the crowd – a mix of schoolgirls, college students, monks, and Gen Z youth – surged toward government buildings. Clashes erupted: Stones flew, tear gas canisters burst, and fires raged. Videos show protesters ripping down BJP flags and chanting “BJP Hatao, Desh Bachao” (Remove BJP, Save the Country).
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who inspired the 2023 Delhi-Ladakh Padyatra, addressed a virtual presser: “Nobody saw this coming. The youth said peaceful paths aren’t working… This is the fifth hunger strike, and today it turned volatile. He even said it is hampering our cause” He halted his fast but vowed to continue the agitation non-violently.
As curfew blankets Leh and a KDA-called shutdown looms for Sept 25 today, the question hangs: Will the Centre fast-track talks, or will this “Gen Z frenzy” – as Wangchuk calls it – spread?
Stay tuned for more updates
