SRINAGAR: On Thursday, security forces were seen patrolling the streets of Ladakh, a region in India’s Himalayas, where a curfew was imposed following violent protests that led to the deaths of four individuals. The protests were sparked by demands for statehood for the federal territory and job allocations.
Images broadcasted on television displayed troops on patrol as businesses remained closed due to the curfew. The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which represents various political, social, and trade groups in the region, has called for further protests in response to the tragic deaths.
Ladakh’s Member of Parliament, Mohmad Haneefa, expressed his demands on social media, calling for a fair and prompt investigation into the deaths of the students and for those responsible to be held accountable. He also requested assistance for the grieving families.
In the town of Leh, damaged vehicles with broken windows were still visible along the roads as the situation remained tense.
In related news, China and India are set to engage in high-level discussions regarding their disputed border.
Ladakh, which became directly governed by New Delhi in 2019 after being separated from the state of Jammu and Kashmir, had its autonomy removed. The region consists mainly of two districts: Leh and Kargil, the latter of which was the site of a military conflict between India and Pakistan in 1999.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, alongside other protesters, is advocating for special status for Ladakh, which would enable the formation of elected local bodies aimed at protecting the rights of tribal communities.
The violence escalated when the police had to fire upon a crowd that attacked a political party office and set a police vehicle ablaze. Haji Ghulam Mustafa, the KDA’s legal adviser, condemned the violence, emphasizing that protests in Ladakh have been peaceful for the past five years. He questioned the orders that led to firing on protesters.
According to a police official, among the 80 people injured in the clashes, six are in critical condition. More than 50 individuals have been arrested in connection with the disturbances. The home ministry reported that the protests, which also resulted in injuries to over 30 police personnel, were incited by what they described as “provocative” speeches made by Wangchuk.
