Complete shutdown in Kargil day after 4 killed in Leh protests

Officials said the situation is under control after Wednesday’s violence, in which, apart from the four deaths, over 50 people were injured. Police opened fire on protesters when some of them went on a violent rampage and set the local BJP office on fire.

“Since last evening, there have been no reports of violence from any part of Leh,” a police officer said Thursday morning, adding, “Prohibitory restrictions are in place and police and ITBP are manning the roads.”

On Wednesday, young protesters assembled at the site where activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is spearheading the movement for the Centre to fulfil four demands, had been on hunger strike. A group of protesters then broke away and engaged in violent actions.

In neighbouring Kargil district, the situation is tense but under control, officials said. Kargil is observing a shutdown on a call given by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), a body that is spearheading the movement for statehood and Sixth Schedule protections for Kargil. In Leh, the movement is being carried out under the banner of Leh Apex Body (LAB).

“There is a complete shutdown in Kargil,” said Sajad Kargili of the KDA. “The call was given to protest the killings in Leh and to show solidarity with the people of Leh.”

In a video message, Kargili has asked people to stay indoors and away from any form of violence, saying, “Violence has no place in Ladakh.”

“To observe a shutdown is our moral responsibility and also a protest against the loss of five (officials say four people were killed) lives,” he said. “The loss of lives is unfortunate and sad and it will always remind people of Ladakh that they should not resort to violence. We have never been supporters of violence and believe in keeping our demands in a peaceful manner through dialogue,” he added.

The administration in Kargil has restricted the assembly of four or more people under section 163 of BNSS. A large number of police and paramilitary forces, too, have been deployed in Kargil to keep the situation under control.

Meanwhile, Hurriyat chairman and Kashmir’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has expressed sorrow over the deaths in Leh and called it the “aftershocks” of the decision of August 5, 2019, when the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was abrogated and the state was divided into two Union Territories — J&K and Ladakh.

“Deeply saddened by the loss of precious human life in Ladakh protests. The aftershocks of the unilateral decision of dismemberment and downgrading of the state of J&K, and the unkept promises made to its people thereafter, are bearing these unfortunate consequences. Hope promises made to people of Ladakh are honoured and lives saved,” Mirwaiz posted on X.