By Martin Shwenk Leade

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Violence in Leh: Protesters attack BJP office, set police vehicle ablaze

As many as four people lost their lives and dozens were injured in as protests for statehood in Leh turned violent on Wednesday. Police fired teargas shells and resorted to baton charge after a group of youths allegedly turned violent and pelted stones amid a massive protest and shutdown.Four people were killed and 30 others injured in intense clashes, the officials said.The protest was in to demand advancement of the proposed talks with the Centre on extension of Sixth Schedule as well as statehood to Ladakh. Talks are scheduled between the Centre and Ladakh representatives, comprising members of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on October 6.Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) youth wing had called for the protest and a shutdown after two of 15 people, who were on a 35-day hunger strike since September 10, were shifted to a hospital after their condition deteriorated on Tuesday evening.Live EventsThe hunger strike led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was also part of the ongoing agitation in the region.Further the protestors torched a security vehicle outside the BJP office in Leh, an official said, adding that additional forces have been deployed to restore order.Wangchuk called off his fortnight-long hunger strike to press for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh as the sun set. Addressing an online press conference, Wangchuk said the fact that Tsering Angchuk (72) and Tashi Dolma (60) were taken to a hospital was most likely the immediate trigger for the violent protest.With the situation worsening rapidly, he stepped in with an appeal and an announcement that he was cutting short the fast.”I request the youth of Ladakh to stop the violence forthwith as it only causes harm to our cause and further deteriorates the situation. We do not want instability in Ladakh and the country,” he told his supporters.Teargas shells were heard in the backdrop.“This is the saddest day for Ladakh and for myself personally because the path we are treading for the last five years was peaceful… We held hunger strikes on five occasions and walked from Leh to Delhi but today we are seeing our message of peace failing because of the incidents of violence and arson,” Wangchuk said.He also appealed to the administration to stop firing teargas shells and urged the government to be more sensitive.“We are ending our fast immediately… the aim of the hunger strike is not fulfilled if our youth lose their lives.”“It is time to carry forward the dialogue with a cool mind. We will keep our agitation non-violent and I also want to ask the government to listen to our message of peace… when the message of peace is ignored, such a situation arises,” he said.The situation is the outcome of frustration among the youth because they have been kept away from jobs, Wangchuk said, adding that there is no democracy in Ladakh and the Sixth Schedule promise made to the public has not been fulfilled either.Prohibitory orders issuedAuthorities implemented prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in Leh district of Ladakh. This bans assembly of five or more persons. Leh District Magistrate Romil Singh Donk issued the order and said, “As notice cannot be served individually, this order is being passed ex parte. Any violation of this order shall invite punitive action under section 223 of BNS.”Under section 163 of the BNSS, he said, no procession, rally or march shall be carried out without the prior written approval of the competent authority.”No one shall use a vehicle-mounted or other loudspeaker without prior approval from the competent authority. No one shall make any statements which have the potential to disturb public tranquility and which may lead to law and order problems in the district,” Donk said. Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
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Violence in Leh: Protesters attack BJP office, set police vehicle ablaze

Read More News onLeh protestsstatehood demand Ladakhviolent protests LehSixth Schedule extensionSonam Wangchuk hunger strikeLeh District Magistratepolice response protestsBJP office Lehprohibitory orders LehKargil Democratic Alliance

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(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onLeh protestsstatehood demand Ladakhviolent protests LehSixth Schedule extensionSonam Wangchuk hunger strikeLeh District Magistratepolice response protestsBJP office Lehprohibitory orders LehKargil Democratic Alliance(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online….moreless

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