Curfew Stretches Into Fifth Day in Leh as Ladakh Unrest Deepens

SRINAGAR: Leh remained under curfew for the fifth consecutive day on Sunday following violent clashes that left four people dead and nearly 100 injured during protests over Ladakh’s demand for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The Union Territory’s Lieutenant Governor, Kavinder Gupta, is scheduled to chair a crucial security review meeting at Raj Bhawan to decide on possible relaxation of restrictions.

The curfew, imposed on Wednesday evening, came after a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) spiralled into widespread protests. For the first time since the unrest began, authorities relaxed the curfew for four hours on Saturday, with the period passing off peacefully.

On Sunday morning, Ladakh Police and CRPF personnel in riot gear patrolled deserted streets, while ITBP units staged flag marches. Mobile internet services remained suspended, and prohibitory orders under Section 144 banning assembly of more than five people were in place across Leh and Kargil.

Additional security forces were deployed as the last rites of two of the four deceased were scheduled for the afternoon. The other two will be cremated on Monday, according to the Ladakh Buddhist Association. Police sealed off roads leading to the homes of the deceased, restricting access even for the media.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, a central figure in the five-year agitation for Ladakh’s rights, was detained on Friday under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) and transferred to Jodhpur Jail in Rajasthan. His detention has triggered widespread outrage, with his wife Gitanjali Angmo rejecting police allegations of Pakistan links and financial irregularities.

Angmo insisted Wangchuk has always followed a Gandhian path of peaceful protest, accusing security forces of escalating the situation during the September 24 demonstration. “Who gave the CRPF the right to open fire? Why should you open fire on your own people?” she asked, while questioning the government’s attempt to portray her husband as “anti-national”.

Police chief SD Singh Jamwal, however, defended the firing, claiming it was necessary to prevent Leh from being “burned to the ground” after protesters torched the BJP office, the Leh Hill Council building, and several vehicles. He said 70 to 80 personnel were injured, including four women constables rescued from a burning building.

The detention of Wangchuk and the deaths in police firing have sparked a sharp political response. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that Ladakh’s people, culture, and traditions were under attack by the BJP and RSS. “Ladakhis asked for a voice. The BJP responded by killing 4 young men and jailing Sonam Wangchuk. Stop the killing. Stop the violence. Stop the intimidation. Give Ladakh the Sixth Schedule,” he posted on X.

Police have arrested over 50 people for rioting. On Saturday, eight individuals, including two sitting councillors, surrendered before a local court. Four were sent to police custody and four to judicial custody. The Leh Apex Body and local lawyers maintain the detainees are innocent and will soon seek bail.

Beyond the political and security fallout, Ladakh’s tourism industry is already reeling. The All Ladakh Tour Operator Association reported a 30 percent cancellation rate of bookings since Wednesday, a significant blow during the peak September-October season.

“Every operator is receiving cancellations. Foreign tourists are stuck in Leh with no cafés or restaurants open,” said ALTOA president Dorjay Stumpa, urging the administration to allow essential services to operate for visitors.

While deserted markets and empty streets painted a grim picture, some tourists continued to arrive at Leh Airport. “We have changed our itinerary to avoid the town,” said a traveller from Kolkata, highlighting the uncertainty clouding the tourism-driven local economy.

As Ladakh grapples with grief, curfew, and deepening political divides, the administration faces the dual challenge of restoring peace while addressing long-standing demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards. For now, the focus remains on security and the last rites of the deceased, even as the agitation for Ladakh’s future shows no signs of abating.