Authorities in Leh ease restrictions as residents urge for dialogue and safety measures
The prohibitory orders that were put in place in Leh following the violence on September 24 have been relaxed for a four-hour period starting at 10 am on Tuesday. According to reports from PTI, the additional district magistrate has allowed grocery stores, hardware shops, and other essential services to operate during this time. These restrictions were initially imposed after protests demanding statehood for Ladakh resulted in the deaths of four individuals due to police firing.
During the protests, demonstrators clashed with law enforcement, leading to stone-throwing incidents and the burning of a Bharatiya Janata Party office and a police vehicle. The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which aims to provide protection for land and a degree of autonomy for citizens in tribal-dominated areas, is a significant point of contention, especially as over 97% of Ladakh’s population belongs to Scheduled Tribes.
In the aftermath of the violence, activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested in Leh. The Union government has suggested that his actions incited the unrest through what they termed “provocative statements.” Along with the curfew in Leh, internet services were also suspended to maintain order. Similar prohibitory orders were enacted in Kargil and other major towns in Ladakh, restricting gatherings of five or more persons.
On the previous day, restrictions in Leh had been eased for two hours to allow residents to conduct last rites for the deceased. Officials indicated that the decision to extend the relaxation of prohibitory orders would depend on the evolving situation in the area. As of Monday, no further incidents of violence had been reported in Leh, with police and paramilitary forces maintaining a strong presence in sensitive areas to ensure public safety.
Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta addressed the residents, urging them to uphold peace and unity, emphasizing that these qualities are crucial for development. He reassured the public of the administration’s commitment to their safety, dignity, and progress, pledging to engage in dialogue to address grievances.
Despite the easing of some restrictions, internet services in Leh remain suspended, and the prohibitory orders barring gatherings are still in effect in Kargil and other parts of the Union Territory. The Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance, which represent civil society groups advocating for constitutional protections for Ladakh, have suspended talks with the Union home ministry. They expressed concerns that negotiations cannot proceed under coercive circumstances.
Cherring Dorjay Lakruk, a co-convenor of the Apex Body Leh, criticized the Union government and certain media outlets for labeling the citizens of Ladakh as “anti-national” and for suggesting links to Pakistan. The coalition’s decision to halt dialogue stemmed from the government’s lack of commitment to a judicial inquiry into the police killings on September 24. Lakruk emphasized the need to remove the stigma associated with their community before engaging in further discussions, asserting that Ladakhis would not tolerate such allegations.
