Curfew imposed in Ladakh as statehood protests turn violent

A curfew was imposed in Leh, the capital of the union territory of Ladakh, after protests demanding statehood for the region turned violent, leaving at least four people dead and dozens injured. Security forces said protesters attacked the local office of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and set a police vehicle on fire as the unrest intensified on Wednesday.

Protesters also clashed with police across the city, prompting authorities to deploy additional security and enforce restrictions to restore order. In a late-night statement, the federal home ministry blamed activist Sonam Wangchuk for inciting the unrest, alleging he continued his hunger strike and made provocative statements that spurred crowds. Wangchuk, a well-known local engineer and advocate for education and climate initiatives who has led protests for statehood, denied involvement in the violence and said growing frustration among unemployed youths was driving the demonstrations. He announced he would end his fast and urged calm, saying violence would undermine the cause and hurt residents’ prospects.

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Ladakh’s political status has been a flashpoint since 2019, when the BJP government split the former Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir and revoked Ladakh’s semi-autonomy, imposing direct rule from New Delhi. The region sits in a mountainous, high-desert landscape divided along demographic lines: Leh district, home to a Buddhist majoritarian population, and the Muslim-majority Kargil district. Protests in recent years have united communities in demanding the restoration of statehood and greater local autonomy, including control over jobs, land and cultural resources. Supporters argue that regional status would restore political power and counter perceived external influence, while opponents worry about political and economic shifts.

The government has defended its approach, saying talks with local leaders began in 2023 and yielded “phenomenal results” before some participants grew dissatisfied with the pace of progress. Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta, the federally appointed administrator overseeing Ladakh, said an investigation into the violence had been opened. He described the demonstrations as influenced by conspiratorial elements and noted that authorities were examining the events to determine responsibility. He cautioned against “Bangladesh- or Nepal-style” comparisons and stressed that the violence did not reflect the region’s broader aims.

Another round of meetings between protesters and officials is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, and a federal government committee is likely to convene with regional leaders on October 6 to map the next steps. Officials say the dialogue process remains ongoing even as authorities seek to restore calm and maintain order in Leh.

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Leh and its surrounding districts are strategically located in a region that borders China and Pakistan and has long been sensitive to security and political developments in the broader Kashmir region. While many residents in Ladakh have argued that statehood would strengthen local governance and protect cultural and land rights, the government has said its engagement with local leaders continues, emphasizing that dialogue remains the preferred route to address the demands for greater autonomy and a share of political power in the territory.

As the situation unfolds, observers will be watching for concrete steps from both the government and protest organizers to prevent further violence while ensuring that any reforms address the concerns of Ladakh’s diverse communities. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the talks can translate into tangible policy changes without undermining public safety.