Page 2 - Ladakh

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

Sonam Wangchuk detained under NSA for 'provocative speeches': Ladakh admin

The Ladakh administration on Friday night justified the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA), saying his series of alleged provocative speeches with references to Nepal agitation and the Arab Spring resulted in the Wednesday's violence that left four persons dead and scores of others injured. It said the detention of Wangchuk earlier during the day was important to restore normalcy in the peace-loving Leh town and also important to prevent him from further acting in a manner "prejudicial to maintenance of public order". "Today, on September 26, Wangchuk of Uley Tokpo village of Leh has been detained under NSA. Time and again it has been observed that Wangchuk has been indulging in activities prejudicial to the security of the state and detrimental to maintenance of peace and public order and services essential to the community," the Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR), Ladakh said in a statement here. It said despite ..

Activist Sonam Wangchuk arrested by Leh police amid statehood protest

The Home Ministry has alleged that the Ladakh climate activist was responsible for inciting the unrest that claimed four lives and left over 90 injured

Ladakh violence: Congress demands judicial probe into killing of four youth

The Congress on Friday demanded a judicial probe into the killing of four youth during violent protests in Ladakh. The four were killed in firing when the police tried to control violent protests for statehood in Ladakh on Wednesday. In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "My colleague Nawang Rigzin Jora has written to the Lt Governor of Ladakh UT demanding a judicial enquiry into the killings of four young men in the protests on September 24th." Protests for statehood turned violent in Leh town on Wednesday, leaving four people dead and 90 others injured. At least 50 people have been detained so far in connection with the violence that broke out on Wednesday during the shutdown called by Leh Apex Body (LAB) to demand an extension of the Sixth Schedule and statehood for Ladakh. In a letter addressed to Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta, he said, "I am approaching you with a heavy heart and deep sorrow to demand a judicial enquiry into the unfortunate incident on .

Curfew remains in Leh for third day as govt reviews security situation

A home ministry team held a series of meetings here to review the overall security situation as curfew remained in force for the third consecutive day in Leh town on Friday, officials said. No untoward incident was reported from anywhere, officials said. The curfew was clamped in the town on Wednesday evening after widespread violence resulted in the death of four persons and injuries to 90 others during a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) to advance talks with the Centre on demand for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh. The overall security situation remained peaceful across Ladakh.The restrictions are likely to be relaxed later in the day to allow people to buy essential commodities, a police official said. Over 50 persons were detained following the widespread clashes, while strict restrictions under prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more persons also remained in force in other major towns, including Kargil. Police and paramilitary ...

Govt must fulfil legitimate aspirations of people of Ladakh: Congress

The Congress on Friday said the distress and anguish of the people of Ladakh must awaken the government's conscience, not just for even more talks but for actually fulfilling their legitimate aspirations in full measure at the very earliest. The opposition party's assertion comes after protests for statehood turned violent on Wednesday, leaving four people dead and 90 others injured. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said six years ago, the people of Ladakh had great expectations when the Union Territory of Ladakh was created but there has been massive disappointment and disenchantment. The people of Ladakh have seen their land and employment rights under severe threat, he said on X. They have also seen the local administration and elected bodies taken over by the LG and the bureaucracy, Ramesh said. The people have seen only meetings after meetings on their legitimate demands for protection under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and for an ..

Centre cancels FCRA licence of Sonam Wangchuk's NGO amid Leh protest

The Home Ministry alleged account discrepancies, including a fund transfer from Sweden against "national interest", as the reason for cancellation

Ladakh unrest explained: What triggered the deadly Gen-Z protest in Leh?

Four people were killed and over 50 were injured after Ladakh’s statehood protests spiralled into violence in Leh on September 24.

Ladakh protests, Agni Prime missile launch, PM Modi launches new Vande Bharat trains & more #newsin1

Authorities in Kargil imposed Section 163 of the BNSS, prohibiting the assembly of more than four people, in the wake of violent clashes that broke out in Leh on 24th September.

Ladakh protests: What led to the violent clashes that killed 4 in Leh

The protests followed a 15-day hunger strike over the statehood demand, led by environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk

4 killed in Ladakh as statehood protests turn violent, LG clamps curfew

Four killed; 45, including 22 police personnel, injured