4 dead in Ladakh clashes amid statehood protests in Leh

The unrest, the first major episode of violence in the ongoing Ladakh statehood movement, erupted after demonstrators demanding constitutional safeguards and statehood for the Union Territory clashed with police.

According to officials, the protest escalated when agitators attacked a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office and several vehicles, including a police van. Security forces resorted to firing to disperse the crowd.

The clashes followed a complete shutdown call given by the protesters, who have been pressing for Ladakh’s statehood and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

For the past two weeks, noted climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike in support of the demands.

The violence comes just days ahead of a scheduled meeting on October 6 between the Leh Apex Body and the Centre to resume dialogue on Ladakh’s political future.

Since Ladakh’s separation from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 and its designation as a Union Territory, discontent has grown over direct Central rule.

Initially welcomed by many in Leh, the move soon led to demands for political representation, land and resource protection, and safeguards for Ladakh’s unique culture.

Over the past three years, mass protests and hunger strikes have been jointly organised by the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, uniting the Buddhist-majority Leh and Muslim-majority Kargil under a single platform.

Multiple rounds of talks with the Centre have failed to yield an agreement, with local leaders accusing the Union government of rejecting their core demands.

Wednesday’s clashes mark a major flashpoint in the movement and are likely to heighten tensions ahead of the government’s upcoming talks with Ladakhi representatives.