Page 2 - Ladakh

Judicial inquiry into Leh violence fulfils Ladakh's demand: Chief secretary

Ladakh Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal on Friday said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) ordering a judicial inquiry into the September 24 violence in Leh fulfils the strong demand of the people of the Union territory seeking a fair and transparent probe into the incident. Addressing a key demand of the protesting Ladakh groups, the MHA on Friday announced a judicial inquiry headed by a retired Supreme Court judge into last month's violent clashes in Leh. The clashes between security forces and protesters who were demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for the Union territory left four civilians dead and 90 injured, escalating a months-long agitation. This decision reflects the government's commitment to justice and transparency," he said. Providing an update on the injured, Kotwal said five individuals, including an ex-serviceman, are currently undergoing treatment at the SNM Hospital. Doctors performed life-saving surgeries on 11 injured on the day of the incident. One of

Restrictions reimposed in Leh after fears of public unrest, law and order

The authorities on Friday reimposed restrictions in Leh district of Ladakh over apprehensions of disturbance to public peace and tranquillity and the possibility of a law and order breakdown in the area. The move comes barely two days after the authorities lifted the restrictions in Leh, 22 days after they were first imposed following violent clashes during protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule Status that left four persons dead and 90 injured on September 24. The restrictions were reimposed in view of the Leh Apex Body's call for a two-hour silent march and a three-hour blackout across Ladakh on October 18 to express solidarity with the families of the four persons who lost their lives in last month's violence, as well as those critically injured. The demonstration is also meant to protest the delay in the release of detained youth, the LAB said in a statement. The district administration on September 24 promulgated prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya .

Army sets up new NGV logistics hub in Leh to boost high-altitude readiness

A new generation vehicle logistics hub for the armed forces has come up in Leh, with satellite hubs planned in important border areas, including Kargil, Tangtse, and Nyoma, along the India-Pakistan and the India-China borders in Ladakh. General Officer Commanding, Fire and Fury Corps, Lieutenant General Hitesh Bhalla, inaugurated the dedicated NGV logistics hub on Thursday, with a defence spokesperson terming the facility a major leap towards enhancing high-altitude operational readiness. This strategic initiative aims to overcome the unique logistics and maintenance challenges of operating modern NGVs in high-altitude areas that can remain inaccessible for up to six months during winters due to extreme terrain and weather conditions, he said. The new facility comprises a centralised and integrated logistics and equipment sustenance system, thereby improving turnaround time, spare availability, and long-term operational sustainability, the spokesperson added. "To anchor this effort

Restrictions lifted in Leh after 22 days of statehood protest violence

Authorities on Wednesday lifted the restrictions in Leh district of Ladakh, 22 days after they were imposed following violence during the statehood protests that left four people dead and over 80 others injured. The district administration had on September 24 promulgated prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in Leh, banning the assembly of five or more persons. No incident of violence had been reported since then, officials said. I do hereby withdraw the restrictions imposed vide this office order dated September 24 with immediate effect, District Magistrate Leh, Romil Singh Donk, said in an order on Wednesday. He said certain restrictions were imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to prevent any breach of peace and disturbance to public tranquillity. The Senior Superintendent of Police, in a report submitted on Wednesday, said that there is no imminent apprehension of breach of peace and public o

Ladakh violence: Wangchuk's wife to challenge grounds of detention in SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned to October 29 the hearing on a plea filed by Sonam Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali J Angmo challenging the climate activist's detention after noting that she wants to amend her petition. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria noted that an affidavit filed by the jailor of Jodhpur jail has filed an affidavit that Wangchuk's elder brother and lawyer met the detenue. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Angmo, said they will file an application to amend the petition and challenge the grounds of detention. During the hearing, Sibal requested that Wangchuk be permitted to exchange some notes with his wife. The apex court noted the submission of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that he has no problem with the detainee sharing notes with his wife. The top court on October 6 had issues notices to the Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh. It, however, refused to pass any order on her plea for providing her the grounds of detention and .

Ladakh violence: SC adjourns hearing on Wangchuk's detention plea to Oct 15

The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned to October 15 the hearing on a plea filed by Sonam Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali J Angmo challenging the climate activist's detention under the National Security Act, and seeking his immediate release. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria posted the matter for hearing on Wednesday due to paucity of time. The top court on October 6 had issues notices to the Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh. It, however, refused to pass any order on her plea for providing her the grounds of detention and posted the matter for hearing on October 14. Wangchuk was detained under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) on September 26, two days after violent protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh left four people dead and 90 injured in the Union territory. The government had accused him of inciting the violence. The NSA empowers the Centre and states to detain individuals to prevent them from acting in a manner "prejudic

Leh admin bans fake news on social media; mobile internet services restored

The Leh district administration has invoked legal provisions to prohibit the spread of misinformation on social media platforms in the district, which had witnessed violence last month. Mobile internet services were restored in Leh district on Thursday night after remaining suspended for over a fortnight following widespread violence on September 24 which left four persons dead and scores of others injured. Leh District Magistrate (DM) Romil Singh Donk said the order to prohibit fake news, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), would remain in force for two months. He said there is sufficient ground for proceeding under the section to maintain peace and tranquillity in the region. It has been observed that certain individuals/groups are spreading rumours and misinformation through social media platforms, which is likely to disturb law and order, Donk said in the order. Any person found indulging in the creation, sharing, or forwarding of fake ne

SC to hear Sonam Wangchuk's wife plea challenging his detention on Oct 6

The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Monday a plea filed by Sonam Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali J Angmo challenging the climate activist's detention under the National Security Act, and seeking his immediate release. According to the apex court's cause list for October 6, the plea would come up for hearing before a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria. Wangchuk was detained under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) on September 26, two days after protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh left four people dead and 90 injured in the Union territory. Wangchuk is lodged in Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan. In her plea filed through senior lawyer Vivek Tankha and lawyer Sarvam Ritam Khare, Angmo has also questioned the decision to invoke the NSA against Wangchuk, which allows detention without a trial for up to 12 months. Filing the habeas corpus (bring the person) writ, the spouse of the detained activist sought urgent listing of the plea and a directio

Leh violence: Ladakh leaders voice concerns during discussion at JNU

Leaders from Ladakh on Friday expressed anguish over the recent violence in Leh, and questioned the legality of the police firing that killed four people and left several others injured. They were speaking at a public discussion on 'Ladakh Crisis: The Battle of Identity', organised by Ladakh Students Forum at the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union office. The speakers included Leh Apex Body's (LAB) legal advisor Mustafa Haji, political activist and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) member Sajjad Kargili, and former MLA and KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai. LAB and KDA are two organisations spearheading the demand for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. "We did not get a chance to process our grief," said Haji, recalling the chaos at Leh's hospitals. "Doctors were ill-equipped to handle the situation. Some were forced to perform surgeries beyond their capabilities, and there were not enough vehicles to transfer the injured."

Ladakh L-G says normalcy restored in Leh, pledges to avert future unrest

The Lieutenant Governor said that, all educational centers up to the eighth grade have been opened

Ladakh violence: Wangchuk's wife moves SC seeking his immediate release

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, has moved the Supreme Court seeking his release. Wangchuk was detained under the stringent National Security Act on September 26, two days after protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh left four people dead and 90 injured in the Union territory. He is lodged in Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan. Angmo, in her plea filed through lawyer Sarvam Ritam Khare, has challenged Wangchuk's detention, besides seeking his immediate release. The plea also questions the decision to invoke the NSA against Wangchuk. Angmo alleged that she was yet to get a copy of the detention order, in violation of rules. Moreover, she said, she has had no contact so far with Wangchuk. Recently, the Ladakh administration rejected claims of a "witch-hunt" or a "smokescreen" operation against Wangchuk.

Schools up to class 8 to reopen in Leh as situation returns to normal

With the situation limping back to normalcy after violent clashes on September 24 left four people dead in Leh, the authorities have ordered reopening of all schools up to Class 8 from Friday. However, they called for strict adherence to the prohibitory orders that ban assembly of five or more persons, an official order said. "It is hereby ordered that all shops and schools up to Class 8 within Leh district shall remain open, and small buses (public transport) shall be permitted to ply between 10 am and 6 pm on October 3, subject to strict adherence to the restrictions laid down under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita," it read. The order was issued by Assistant Commissioner (Revenue) Shabbir Hussain on directions of the district magistrate. The situation in the district began getting back on track when authorities relaxed the curfew for seven hours on September 30 and gradually increased the duration on Wednesday and Thursday.

LBA confirms member's suicide in Ladakh, says he admired Sonam Wangchuk

A general council member of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) has committed suicide by hanging himself at his residence, its president Chering Dorjay Lakruk said on Thursday. Stenzin Dorjay, a resident of Skitmang village, some 100 km from Leh town, was a big fan of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk who was detained under National Security Act and lodged in Jodhpur jail on September 26, Lakruk, also co-chairman of Leh Apex Body (LAB), told reporters on the sidelines of a function here. Survived by his wife and two children, Dorjay was found dead by hanging at his house early Wednesday. His brothers claimed that he was highly depressed after the September 24 violence that left four persons dead and scores of others injured. "He was a member of our general council and was linked to our movement (in support of statehood and safeguards under the sixth schedule of the Constitution). He was a big fan of Wangchuk, I know it because I saw him with Wangchuk on September 24," Lakruk said.

Curfew relaxed in Leh, markets open after shutdown, residents relieved

The protests were a result of people demanding statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, which turned into clashes with the police officials in Leh

Datanomics: Decoding the unrest in Ladakh and rising unemployment

The budget allocation for the region for most years showed a decline compared to Budget Estimates

Bihar final electoral roll, Rahul Gandhi on Ladakh violence, Balochistan bomb blast & more

The Election Commission of India has released the final electoral roll following the Special Intensive Revision exercise for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, scheduled for October-November.

Rahul says PM betrayed Ladakh people, demands probe into police firing

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "betrayed" the people of Ladakh and demanded an impartial judicial probe into the death of four protesters in police firing in the union territory. Among those killed in Ladakh on Wednesday was Kargil war veteran Tsewang Tharchin. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, who is on a four-nation tour of South America, posted on X a video of Tharchin's father and said, "Father in the army, son in the army - patriotism runs in their blood. Yet the BJP government shot and killed this brave son of the nation, simply because he stood up for Ladakh and his rights." The father's pain-filled eyes ask one question, is this the reward for serving the nation today, Gandhi said in his post in Hindi. "We demand that an impartial judicial inquiry be conducted into these killings in Ladakh, and the culprits be given the harshest punishment... "(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi ji, you have betrayed the people of

Tourism in Ladakh suffers as Leh remains under curfew following clashes

Ladakh's tourism sector, already reeling from setbacks earlier this season, has been dealt another blow with the curfew in Leh following last week's violence. Stakeholders said the industry was first hit by widespread cancellations after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, and the fresh disturbances have further dented travellers' confidence. An indefinite curfew was imposed in Leh town on September 24 following clashes during a shutdown called by a constituent of Leh Apex Body, which has been spearheading an agitation for statehood and the extension of Sixth Schedule to Ladakh. Four people were killed and over 150 others injured in the violence. Barring a four-hour relaxation in two phases on Saturday afternoon, the town remained under strict curfew for the sixth consecutive day on Monday with mobile internet services suspended. This has triggered booking cancellations and caused hardships to tourists and local stakeholders. "The cancellation of advance booki

Centre failed to honour its promises on statehood to J&K, Ladakh: Omar

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has accused the Centre of betraying both Ladakh and J-K by failing to fulfil its promises and deepening mistrust through delays in restoring statehood. Speaking at the launch of senior journalist and author Harinder Baweja's latest book, "They Will Shoot You, Madam: My life through conflict" on Sunday, Abdullah said the government had failed to follow through on its own roadmap, first for Jammu and Kashmir and now for Ladakh, alleging that the latter was misled with "impossible" assurances. "When you wanted them (Ladakh) to participate in Hill Council elections, you promised them the Sixth Schedule. Everyone knew that giving the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh was nearly impossible. A region that shares frontiers with China on one side and Pakistan on the other requires a sizeable defence presence, which the Sixth Schedule makes impossible. Yet, you made promises to get electoral participation, he stated. The 55-year-old also criticised the ..

Sonam Wangchuk arrested under NSA, lodged in Jodhpur jail: Top updates

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested Friday under the National Security Act after violent Ladakh protests; the Union Territory administration has suspended mobile internet services in Leh