Protests for Statehood in Ladakh Result in Four Fatalities

At least four individuals died and numerous others sustained injuries during protests in India’s Ladakh region on September 24, 2023. Demonstrators were advocating for statehood for Ladakh, alongside job quotas for local residents. Reports indicate that clashes erupted between protesters and police in the wake of these demands.

The Himalayan region of Ladakh, which encompasses both Buddhist and Muslim communities, lost its special status in 2019 when it was separated from Jammu and Kashmir. This change was enacted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s administration, placing Ladakh under direct control of New Delhi. Activist Sonam Wangchuk led the protests, which also called for special status that would enable the establishment of elected local bodies to safeguard tribal areas.

As tensions escalated, several buildings, including the office of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party in Leh, were vandalised and set on fire. Visuals captured by news agency ANI showed significant smoke rising from the vicinity of the office complex, as hundreds of protesters chanted slogans. Some media outlets reported an abandoned police vehicle engulfed in flames.

Police sources stated that over fifty people were injured during the violence, including around twenty police personnel. Eyewitness accounts described young protesters throwing stones at law enforcement, which responded with tear gas to disperse the crowds.

In light of the unrest, Wangchuk expressed his concerns about the motivations behind the protests. “It was the frustration of the youth… that brought them to the streets,” he stated. Wangchuk, who recently ended a hunger strike, urged the youth to refrain from violence, emphasising that aggression is not a solution to Ladakh’s challenges.

The office of Ladakh’s Lieutenant-Governor and local police did not provide comments when approached for information regarding the situation. District administrator Romil Singh Donk issued a notice prohibiting demonstrations, public gatherings, and inflammatory speech in an effort to maintain peace.

Ladakh shares an extensive border with China, highlighting its strategic significance to India. The Indian home ministry has been engaged in discussions with Ladakh’s leaders since 2023, exploring their demands for greater autonomy. The next round of talks is scheduled for October 6, 2023, as local leaders continue to seek solutions to the ongoing tensions.