Ladakh, Protest, Violence Credit Tnp (Credit Tnp)
Ladakh Protest: On Wednesday, a long period of peaceful protests in Ladakh suddenly turned violent. Protesters set a BJP office and a CRPF vehicle on fire. Four people were killed and approximately 60 injured in the ensuing clashes. Authorities have imposed a curfew in Leh to control the situation.
For the past several weeks, people have been raising their demands through hunger strikes and peaceful protests, but on Wednesday, angry youth took to the streets and resorted to violent demonstrations. The movement was led by environmentalist and social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has long championed the rights and development of Ladakh. The Leh Apex Body (LAB) led the protest in Leh on Wednesday, a joint platform of religious, social, and political groups.
Wangchuk and other members were on a hunger strike to force the central government into productive talks. After an elderly woman and a man fell unconscious on Tuesday, the LAB's youth wing called for a citywide shutdown on Wednesday. A mob gathered outside the BJP office and later set it on fire.
The movement also received support from the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). The KDA, in solidarity with the LAB's demands, called for a shutdown across the Union Territory on September 25th. For the past four years, the LAB and KDA have been jointly demanding statehood, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, and protection of Ladakh's cultural and environmental identity.
Ladakh was made a Union Territory in 2019 after the revocation of Article 370, but it has not yet established a legislative assembly. This direct control over the central government has fueled discontent among locals. They say their identity, tribal culture, and fragile ecosystem are under threat. A hunger strike has been underway since September 10th, led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
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