Authorities announced that the week-long curfew in Leh town will be relaxed for four hours from 10 am on Tuesday, enabling shopkeepers to open their establishments as tensions begin to ease. This decision comes in response to the recent clashes that resulted in four fatalities, including a retired Army personnel, on September 24.
The relaxation follows a brief two-hour reprieve granted on Monday from 4 pm, coinciding with the completion of last rites for the victims. A police official stated that further evaluations of the curfew restrictions will depend on how the situation evolves during the day.
Ghulam Mohammed, the Additional District Magistrate in Leh, ordered that all essential services, including groceries, hardware, and vegetable shops, operate during the relaxation period. Police and paramilitary forces remain deployed in significant numbers across sensitive locales, maintaining vigilance to ensure law and order.
Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has been proactively chairing high-level security review meetings almost daily. He appealed to the residents to uphold peace, emphasizing that it is the cornerstone of development. Gupta urged the community not to fall prey to anti-social elements and reassured citizens of the administration’s commitment to their safety and progress.
“I commend the people’s restraint and dedication during these challenging circumstances,” Gupta remarked, promising that the administration would address genuine grievances through democratic processes. Enhancing intelligence gathering and community engagement is a part of the continuous efforts to foster trust between the administration and citizens.
Despite the relaxation, mobile internet services remain suspended in Leh, and prohibitory orders against gatherings of five or more people continue in other major parts of the Union Territory, including Kargil. The curfew was initially imposed on September 24 following violent protests linked to demands for statehood and the expansion of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.
Post-incident, authorities detained over 60 individuals, including two councilors and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. Wangchuk faced detainment under the National Security Act on September 26 and has since been transferred to Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.
In the aftermath, the Ladakh BJP party has called for a thorough investigation into the events to ensure accountability and justice. In a statement, the party expressed condolences to the families affected by the violence and demanded the immediate release of individuals wrongfully charged.
“Ladakh is known for its beauty and the resilience of its people. We encourage everyone in Ladakh to maintain peace and harmony,” the BJP stated. They underscored the importance of not allowing misinformation to disrupt the stability and urged cooperation among citizens for healing and reconciliation.