Ladakh Statehood Protests Turn Violent: 4 Killed, 70 Injured, Curfew Enforced

At least four people were killed and over 70 injured on Wednesday.

As protests demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution turned violent. Authorities imposed a curfew in Leh, restricting gatherings of more than five people.

During the violence, protesters set fire to the local BJP office and torched a vehicle. Police resorted to teargas and baton charges to disperse the mob.

The Union administration imposed curfew under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, immediately banning protests, rallies, and marches in Leh without prior written approval, an official order stated.

The agitation was led by the youth wing of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) as part of its ongoing campaign for statehood and constitutional safeguards.

Thupstan Tswang, Chairperson of LAB, said: “We have been running a movement here for a long time on four issues of Ladakh. There were some incidents that led to acts of violence. During this violence, 2-3 young men have been martyred for our cause. I want to assure the people of Ladakh that we will not let the sacrifices made today go to waste.”