The situation in Ladakh has become extremely concerning amid ongoing protests, with four people killed and more than 80 others injured during widespread clashes amid a shutdown in the region.
In an effort to bring the situation under control, the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory, Kavinder Gupta, chaired a security review meeting in Leh on Thursday. During the meeting, Gupta called for heightened vigilance to safeguard peace across Ladakh, as reported by news agency PTI.
The shutdown and protests were called by a constituent of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) in support of their demands to advance proposed talks with the Centre regarding the extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and statehood for Ladakh.
In a social media post on platform X, the Lieutenant Governor’s office stated, “A high-level security review meeting was held to assess the emerging situation across Ladakh, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance, seamless inter-agency coordination, and proactive measures to safeguard peace, security, and public order across the Union Territory,” according to PTI.
Officials from Ladakh confirmed that senior officers from the police, CRPF, and civil administration attended the meeting and discussed in detail the prevailing law and order situation in the region.
Hundreds of protesters supporting the movement for Ladakh’s statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule turned violent on Wednesday. According to PTI, the protest quickly escalated, resulting in the BJP office in Leh and several vehicles being set on fire. This prompted authorities to impose a curfew on the town and its adjoining areas.
Furthermore, the Centre alleged that the mob violence was incited by “provocative statements” made by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. The Modi-led party also suggested that certain “politically motivated” individuals were unhappy with the progress made in ongoing talks between government representatives and Ladakhi groups.
Meanwhile, Sonam Wangchuk, who had been leading a hunger strike in Leh over the twin demands, called off his hunger strike following the violence on Wednesday. He urged people to restore peace across Ladakh, as reported by PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)
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