SRINAGAR, Sept 25 – At least four people were killed and 58 injured after police and paramilitary forces allegedly opened fire on protesters in Leh on Wednesday during demonstrations demanding Sixth Schedule protections and statehood for Ladakh.
The violence marks the first fatal unrest in Ladakh since the region became a Union territory in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu & Kashmir. Authorities have not yet released the names of the deceased, identified only as men aged 19, 20, 23, and 46.
Hunger Strike Sparks Outrage
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a 35-day hunger strike demanding Sixth Schedule safeguards, ended his fast after 14 days on Wednesday. He said youths erupted in anger after two hunger strikers collapsed on Tuesday and were hospitalised in critical condition.
“That moved the youths of Ladakh, and they came out in thousands to express solidarity at Martyrs’ Ground in Leh,” Wangchuk said. He claimed some protesters had “lost limbs” in the clashes.
About 2,000 protesters reportedly broke from the main crowd, torching a police vehicle, a government office, and a BJP office. Police responded with tear gas, lathi charges, and eventually live ammunition after stones were hurled at security forces, injuring at least 20 personnel, officials said.
Political Fallout and Accusations
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution grants special protections to tribal areas in India’s northeast, including control over land, resources, and cultural preservation through autonomous councils. Ladakhis have demanded similar safeguards since 2019, warning of demographic pressures and industrial exploitation.
A high-powered committee was set up by the Union home ministry in January 2023 after sustained protests by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), but talks have stalled.
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The last round on May 27 produced only a domicile policy, angering protest leaders.
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Another meeting has been scheduled for October 6, but delays have worsened public frustration.
Ladakh MP Haji Mohmad Haneefa Jan accused the administration of a “complete failure” in handling the protests, saying the crowd could have been dispersed with “just a lathi charge” rather than bullets.
Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta called the violence a “conspiracy to disturb peace” and criticised threats to burn political party offices, saying such actions were “against democracy.”
Security Tightened, Restrictions Imposed
Leh’s district magistrate has imposed Section 163 of the BNSS, banning all rallies and marches without prior approval. Reinforcements have been deployed, and prohibitory orders remain in place.
On Monday, LAB Youth and Religious Youth groups had already called for a shutdown in support of Wangchuk’s hunger strike. Before beginning his fast on September 9, Wangchuk accused the BJP of reneging on its 2020 promise of Sixth Schedule protections made in the Ladakh Hill Council manifesto.