Leh (Ladakh) [India], September 29 : Two of the four individuals who lost their lives during the September 24 violence in Leh were reportedly cremated on Sunday under tight security. The final rites of the remaining two are scheduled for Monday, also amid heavy security arrangements.
The unrest, which prompted police to open fire during protests on September 26, claimed four lives in all. Authorities have maintained heightened vigilance throughout the region to prevent further incidents.
Meanwhile, curfew in Leh continues for the fifth consecutive day since the unrest. Prohibitions under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023, continue to be imposed in Leh following the violence on September 24.
Assembling five or more persons is prohibited in the district; no procession, rally, or march is to be carried out without prior written approval. Security personnel remain deployed across Leh.
People of Ladakh have been demanding the inclusion of the Union Territory in the Schedule VI of the Constitution. This Schedule of the Constitution contains Article 244(2) and 275(1), which reads, "Provisions as to the Administration of Tribal Areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram."
A total of 44 people have been arrested in connection with the violence, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals.
Among those arrested is Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent activist and advocate for the implementation of Schedule VI in Ladakh. He had been on a hunger strike, which he ended just as the violence broke out. Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) and is currently being held in Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan. He has been accused of inciting violence.
Earlier, the JKPCC President, Tariq Hameed Karra, addressed the Ladakh protests. Speaking to mediapersons, he claimed that this ongoing agitation is a result of five years of deceit and unfulfilled commitments.
"The current agitation is a result of the deceit of the last five years and the unfulfillment of commitments," Karra told reporters.
During the discussion of the Ladakh agitation and its resulting violence, Karra alleged that the current protesters were the same individuals who had celebrated the abrogation of Article 370 and had been utilised by the government during that time.
"Today, we want to address a very sensitive and nationally significant issue: the situation in Ladakh. Four people have already died, and around 90 have been injured. Those protesting against the Government of India and local administration are the same individuals who were used by the government during the abrogation of Article 370. They were happy when Article 370 was abrogated," said Karra.