The Buddhist-Muslim enclave of Ladakh was deprived of its autonomy in 2019 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government carved it out of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir state, placing the region under New Delhi’s direct control.
Protesters, led by activist Sonam Wangchuk, are also demanding special status for Ladakh, which would allow for the creation of elected local bodies to protect its tribal areas.
Thupstan Tswang, chairman of the Leh apex body, said: “During this (Wednesday’s) violence, 2-3 of our youth have died for our cause… I want to reassure the people of Ladakh that we will not let the sacrifices of these youth go to waste… We will keep trying to get our demands fulfilled.”
According to news agency ANI, the office of Modi’s BJP in Leh city was among the buildings set on fire.
Indian TV channels showed an abandoned police vehicle with flames coming from its front. Local media reports stated that protesters were tear-gassed while young men hurled stones at the police.
A police source claimed that more than 50 people, including 20 police personnel, were injured. “It was the frustration of the youth… that brought them to the streets… I appeal to the youth… don’t walk on this path of violence,” said Wangchuk, who called off his fortnight-long hunger strike after the violence.
He added, “This is not a solution to Ladakh’s problem… If our youth have sorrow and pain that we are on hunger strike, then we are breaking our hunger strike from today.”
