LEH, Sept 25 – Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday ended his 15-day hunger strike a day early after violent clashes during a shutdown called by the Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) youth wing left four people dead and over 30 injured.
The violence erupted in Leh when protesters demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule protections set ablaze a BJP office and several vehicles. Police used teargas and later opened fire, according to demonstrators, who allege the deaths were caused by police bullets. Authorities have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS and banned public rallies without prior permission.
Wangchuk, known for his peaceful campaigns, told supporters,
“This is a sad day for Ladakh. For five years, we have walked the path of peace through hunger strikes and marches from Leh to Delhi. Today, I see our message failing as violence erupts. I appeal to the youth to stop this.”
He said he feared continued fasting could worsen tensions if hospitalisations increased. Two protesters from another group on a 35-day fast were hospitalised on Tuesday.
The unrest stems from growing youth frustration over unemployment, lack of democratic representation, and the Centre’s delay in granting Sixth Schedule status, which provides autonomous governance and financial powers in some northeastern states.
Talks between the Ministry of Home Affairs, LAB, and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) are scheduled for October 6, after months of deadlock.
Meanwhile, the KDA has announced a shutdown in Kargil on Thursday in solidarity with hunger strikers.
Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah reacted on X, saying:
“Ladakh celebrated UT status in 2019 and now feels betrayed. Imagine our disappointment in J&K where even promised statehood remains unfulfilled despite peaceful demands.”