Leh city witnessed unprecedented violence on Tuesday as the ongoing statehood agitation turned volatile, with protesters clashing with police, pelting stones, and torching a police vehicle. The unrest marks the first major violent escalation in Ladakh’s growing movement demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards.
Hundreds of demonstrators flooded the streets of Leh, enforcing a shutdown and intensifying their hunger strike to press for statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Tempers flared as protesters attacked the local BJP office, hurled stones at police forces, and set a police van on fire.
In response, security forces fired tear gas shells and carried out baton charges to disperse the crowds. Authorities described the violence as the “most serious confrontation” in the region since Ladakh was carved into a Union Territory in 2019.
The protests come amid mounting discontent over what residents call a “political vacuum” under direct central rule. Ladakh was separated from Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. While the move was initially welcomed by many in Leh, concerns soon grew over loss of constitutional protections for land, culture, and employment.
Over time, the demand for statehood has united political and religious groups across the region. The Apex Body of Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, representing both Buddhist-majority Leh and Muslim-majority Kargil, have spearheaded the agitation.
Prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for the past two weeks, further energizing the movement. Wangchuk has stressed that Ladakh must be safeguarded under the Sixth Schedule to protect its fragile ecosystem and unique cultural identity.
Despite multiple rounds of negotiations, Ladakhi representatives say the Centre has resisted their core demands. A March meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah ended in deadlock, with local leaders alleging Shah admitted carving Ladakh into a Union Territory “was a mistake” but refused to consider statehood or Sixth Schedule protections.
The Centre has scheduled a fresh round of talks with Ladakh representatives on October 6, but today’s violence underscores the growing frustration on the ground. Local leaders warned that unless meaningful concessions are offered, unrest could intensify further.
