Authorities in Leh announced a four-hour relaxation of the week-long curfew starting at 10 am on Tuesday, following a tense week marked by protests and clashes. This decision allows shopkeepers to open their establishments as law enforcement maintains a strong presence in the area.
The relaxation follows an earlier two-hour respite from 4 pm on Monday, coinciding with the completion of the last rites for four individuals, including a retired Army personnel, who tragically lost their lives amid the violence during protests on September 24.
A police official confirmed that further decisions regarding curfew extensions would depend on the evolving situation throughout the day. Additional District Magistrate Ghulam Mohammed has instructed that essential services, including groceries, hardware, and vegetable shops, operate during the relaxation.
The police and paramilitary forces remain deployed in sensitive areas, maintaining vigilance to ensure public order. “Aside from the violence last Wednesday, there have been no untoward incidents reported so far,” the police official stated.
Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has been actively overseeing security measures through regular high-level meetings. On Monday, he urged the citizens to uphold peace as it remains essential for development. He emphasized, “I urge all sections of society to maintain unity and harmony and not fall prey to the designs of anti-social and anti-national elements. The administration will ensure their safety, dignity, and progress.”
In his appeal, Gupta recognized the resilience of the people during these challenging circumstances, affirming that the government is committed to addressing legitimate issues democratically and through dialogue.
Additionally, he called for improved intelligence gathering, community engagement, and swift resolutions to public grievances to foster greater trust between the administration and the citizens.
Despite the brief relaxation, the administration has suspended mobile internet services in Leh town. Prohibitory orders banning gatherings of five or more people remain in force across significant areas of the Union Territory, including Kargil.
In context, the curfew was imposed on the evening of September 24, following violent protests against a shutdown organized by a faction of the Leh Apex Body (LAB). This protest aimed to demand statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to protect the rights of the people of Ladakh.
As a result of the unrest, police have taken more than 60 individuals into custody, including two councilors and renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who faced detention under the National Security Act. Wangchuk is currently lodged in a Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.
Responding to these events, the Ladakh unit of the BJP has called for a comprehensive investigation to ensure accountability. The party also emphasized the need for the “immediate release of all innocent persons charged with minor offenses,” while expressing condolences to the families of those who died.
“Ladakh is known for its beauty and the resilience of its people. We urge everyone in Ladakh to uphold peace and harmony. It is crucial that we do not take law and order into our hands or fall prey to misinformation. Let us work together to ensure that peace prevails,” the BJP stated.
In its appeal, the party called upon the community to unite and support efforts toward healing and reconciliation, stating, “We request the cooperation of all citizens in maintaining peace and supporting efforts towards healing and reconciliation.”
