"Mob Tried To Burn CRPF Personnel": Ladakh Lt Governor Declares Curfew In Leh

CRPF Personnel Under Threat: Ladakh Lt Governor Imposes Curfew Following Violent Clashes in Leh

Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta announced on Wednesday that curfew has been implemented throughout Leh district following violent confrontations that resulted in four fatalities and numerous injuries.

The demonstrations erupted over demands for statehood in Ladakh, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with direct central governance in the union territory.

Lieutenant Governor Gupta has characterized the clashes as a deliberate conspiracy and promised strict action against all individuals involved in the day's violence.

Security forces resorted to firing after violent protesters attacked police vehicles and the BJP headquarters in Ladakh.

Demonstrators removed party flags before setting the BJP office ablaze. Multiple vehicles were also destroyed by fire.

The Lt Governor placed responsibility for the deaths and property destruction on the protesters.

"The instigators of these protests are accountable for today's casualties in Ladakh," stated the Lt Governor.

Mr. Gupta reported that protesters attempted to "burn CRPF personnel inside their vehicle" and that "stone-throwers attacked the vehicle of the DGP Ladakh." According to a central government statement, over 30 police and CRPF personnel sustained injuries during these mob attacks.

Local leadership, however, has alleged excessive force was used by security forces in the region.

Meanwhile, social media appeals have requested blood donations for approximately 70 injured individuals currently hospitalized following the clashes and gunfire incidents.

Medical authorities report that several injured persons remain in critical condition.

Official sources indicate that numerous police and security personnel were also wounded during stone-pelting incidents.

Authorities state the government is working to stabilize the situation, while local leaders have issued appeals for peace.

Following the imposition of restrictions, the Lt Governor announced that curfew had been implemented as a "precautionary measure."

Throughout the past three years, Ladakh has experienced increasing opposition to direct central administration. Residents have consistently demanded statehood and constitutional protections for their territory, cultural heritage, and natural resources.

Ladakh was established as a separate Union Territory in August 2019, coinciding with the revocation of Article 370 and the division of the former Jammu and Kashmir state.

Initially, many Leh residents, including activist Sonam Wangchuk, welcomed this development. However, within a year, concerns grew regarding what locals described as a political vacuum under the Lieutenant Governor's administration.

This dissatisfaction resulted in widespread protests and hunger strikes.

In an unprecedented development, political and religious organizations from Buddhist-majority Leh and Muslim-majority Kargil united under a joint platform: the Apex Body of Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance.

In response, the central government established a high-level committee to evaluate Ladakh's demands. However, multiple rounds of negotiations failed to achieve a breakthrough. In March this year, representatives from Ladakh met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.

The discussions soon collapsed. Local leaders reported that the Home Minister had rejected their fundamental demands.

"During our meeting, the Home Minister admitted he had made an error by creating Ladakh as a separate Union Territory. He also dismissed our statehood request and implementation of the Sixth Schedule," revealed one leader who participated in the discussions to NDTV.