Leh, September 24, 2025 – The picturesque cold desert of Ladakh witnessed one of its darkest days in decades on Wednesday as a protest for statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule spiraled into violence. At least four people were killed and 59 injured, including 22 police personnel, after clashes erupted between protesters and security forces.
By evening, authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in Leh, effectively locking down the district to prevent further escalation.
🔥 How Peaceful Protests Erupted Into Violence
The chain of events began with the Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) youth wing calling for intensified protests. The trigger came late Tuesday when two of the 15 hunger strikers, who had been fasting for 35 days since September 10, were rushed to the hospital after their condition deteriorated.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who himself had been on a two-week hunger strike in support of Ladakh’s statehood, had been urging calm. But frustration was mounting among young protestors, who felt years of peaceful demonstrations had brought no meaningful results.
By Wednesday afternoon, hundreds of youths marched through Leh carrying banners and shouting slogans. What began as a peaceful sit-in escalated quickly into stone-pelting, arson, and vandalism.
The protesters torched the local BJP office, set several vehicles ablaze—including a police van—and clashed with security forces. Tear gas shells were fired, batons were used, and eventually, police resorted to firing to regain control.
🚨 Curfew in Leh: Govt Moves to Prevent More Bloodshed
Ladakh Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta announced the curfew in Leh district late Wednesday evening, calling it a precautionary step.
“Lives have been lost and I express my condolences to the families. The curfew is necessary to prevent more bloodshed. Those responsible for violence will be identified and punished as per law,” Gupta said.
All gatherings of five or more people have been banned under Section 163 of the BNSS. Schools, colleges, and offices remained shut, while additional paramilitary forces were deployed across Leh.
⚡ Sonam Wangchuk Appeals for Calm, Ends Hunger Strike
The violence prompted activist Sonam Wangchuk to call off his hunger strike after 15 days. In a video posted on his X handle (formerly Twitter), he urged protesters to stop the violence immediately.
“I call upon Ladakh’s youth to abandon violence and choose peace instead.” It only harms our cause. We don’t want instability in Ladakh or in India. Our fight must remain peaceful,” Wangchuk said.
He also appealed to the Centre to advance the dialogue date with Ladakh leaders, currently scheduled for October 6, to the end of September.
💥 Political Fallout: BJP vs Congress Over Ladakh Violence
The violence sparked a fierce political blame game.
At the BJP headquarters in Delhi, party spokesperson Sambit Patra alleged that the unrest was not spontaneous but orchestrated:
“This is not a Gen Z protest. This is a Congress conspiracy. Their nefarious design is to create Bangladesh, Nepal, and Philippines-like situations in India. Rahul Gandhi is instigating youth with the support of foreign forces like George Soros,” Patra said.
He accused the Congress of deliberately fueling unrest because it could not defeat the BJP electorally.
The Congress, on the other hand, slammed the administration for mishandling the situation and ignoring genuine demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards.
🏔️ What Protesters Want: Statehood and Sixth Schedule
The demand for statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution has been brewing since August 2019, when Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union Territory after the abrogation of Article 370.
Activists argue that without constitutional safeguards, Ladakh’s fragile environment, tribal rights, and unique culture are under threat. The Sixth Schedule provides special protections for tribal areas, including control over land, resources, and governance.
Both the Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have been spearheading this movement for nearly four years. Multiple rounds of talks with the Centre have been held, but protesters say no concrete action has followed.
The next round of dialogue with the Centre is scheduled for October 6, but protesters demand that the date be advanced immediately.
⚰️ Casualties and Injuries: Human Cost of Ladakh Protest
According to official figures, four people lost their lives in Wednesday’s clashes. At least 59 were injured, including 22 policemen.
Most of the deaths were caused by electrocution and police firing, officials confirmed. The injured were rushed to Leh District Hospital and Army medical facilities, with several in critical condition.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (quoted in related coverage of Bengal floods) said, “Lives cannot be replaced. Those responsible must be held accountable.”
📢 Voices from the Ground
Residents described scenes of chaos not witnessed since 1989.
Moumita Biswas, a local, said:
“I was supposed to take my mother to the doctor. But when we saw on TV that people were being electrocuted on waterlogged roads, we had to cancel everything.”
Sailen Panda, a sales representative:
“Public transport was completely shut down. I had to walk for hours to get home. The whole city is paralyzed.”
Forum for Durgotsab General Secretary Saswata Basu (in Kolkata, after rain):
“Just like in Bengal floods, the Ladakh situation shows how fragile our systems are.”
🎭 Ladakh Festival Cancelled Amid Violence
In an additional blow, authorities cancelled the annual four-day Ladakh Festival, which was supposed to showcase the region’s cultural richness to tourists.
The Department of Information and Public Relations said:
“The administration deeply regrets the cancellation. Local artists, cultural troupes, and tourists were eagerly looking forward to it, but given the situation, safety comes first.”
🔮 What Lies Ahead for Ladakh?
The Ladakh agitation has now reached a critical tipping point. With four dead, dozens injured, and Leh under curfew, the Centre faces urgent pressure to address the demands.
If ignored, the statehood for Ladakh movement risks spiraling into a prolonged conflict, with more protests and potential instability in the strategically sensitive Himalayan region bordering China and Pakistan.
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