Authorities have announced a four-hour relaxation of the curfew in Leh, effective from 10 am on Tuesday, allowing shopkeepers to resume business operations amid heightened security. The decision follows a week-long curfew imposed after violent protests erupted in the region on September 24, resulting in the unfortunate deaths of four individuals, including a retired Army personnel.
The curfew was briefly relaxed for two hours from 4 pm on Monday, coinciding with the completion of the last rites for the deceased. Officials have indicated that further extensions to the relaxation may depend on the evolving situation throughout the day.
Ghulam Mohammed, Additional District Magistrate of Leh, mandated the opening of essential services, including groceries, hardware, and vegetable shops, during the relaxation period. He emphasized that while the previous week witnessed incidents of violence, Monday saw no reports of unrest. Police and paramilitary forces remain deployed in significant numbers across sensitive areas to ensure law and order.
Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has been actively leading security review meetings in response to the ongoing tensions. On Monday, he emphasized during a public address, “Peace is the cornerstone of development.” He urged community members to remain united and to resist provocations from anti-social elements.
Gupta praised the populace for their restraint under challenging conditions and assured them that their concerns would be addressed through dialogue and democratic means. He highlighted the importance of fostering greater engagement with the community, enhancing intelligence measures, and addressing public grievances swiftly to build trust between citizens and the administration.
Despite the relaxation in curfew, mobile internet services remain suspended in Leh, and prohibitory orders against the assembly of five or more individuals continue to be enforced in key regions, including Kargil. The ongoing curfew was initially imposed after violent protests erupted during a shutdown led by a faction of the Leh Apex Body, advocating for statehood and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule.
Following the protests, over 60 people, including two councilors and prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, have faced arrests. Wangchuk remains detained under the National Security Act and has been transferred to a jail in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, raising concerns among activists and political parties.
The Ladakh BJP has called for a comprehensive investigation into the incidents that led to violence, stressing the need for accountability and justice. They also urged the immediate release of individuals wrongfully charged with minor offences, extending condolences to the families of the deceased.
In their statement, the BJP highlighted the beauty and resilience of the Ladakhi people, calling for unity and a commitment to peace. “We must not succumb to misinformation or take law and order into our own hands. Instead, we must work collectively to ensure peace prevails,” they stated. The party appealed for the cooperation of all citizens in fostering an environment of harmony and reconciliation in the region.
