Ladakh Protest Turns Violent in Leh, Police Clash with Statehood Agitators Ahead of Centre Talks

What began as a peaceful hunger strike for statehood in Ladakh took a violent turn in Leh city today. Hundreds of protesters flooded the streets, calling for full statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule. The protest, which included a complete shutdown, saw stone-pelting, clashes with police, and the burning of a police vehicle. The BJP office in Leh was also attacked, intensifying the standoff. In response, police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd. This is the first time in recent memory that Leh has witnessed such a level of public unrest. The timing is sensitive, as the Centre is scheduled to meet Ladakh representatives on October 6 to resume talks.

Hunger Strikes and Public Shutdowns Intensify

For the past two weeks, renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike, demanding statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule. The shutdown call received wide support from local groups across Leh and Kargil. Protesters say Ladakhis have been sidelined under direct central rule since the region became a Union Territory in 2019. Many allege that there’s been a lack of accountability and no elected voice for the people. The ongoing hunger strikes and shutdowns reflect rising frustration over years of unfulfilled promises and stalled negotiations with the Centre. Today’s violence shows just how deep the discontent now runs.

From Hope to Disillusionment Post-UT Status

When Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union Territory in August 2019, many in the region had initially welcomed the move. But the optimism quickly faded as residents began to feel excluded from governance. The absence of a legislative assembly and elected representatives created what many describe as a political vacuum. The sense of being ruled remotely through a Lieutenant Governor with no say in land, jobs, or local laws has only added fuel to the fire. This has led to repeated calls for statehood and constitutional protection to safeguard Ladakh’s culture, environment, and identity. Despite multiple talks with the Centre, no breakthrough has been achieved.

All Eyes on October 6 as Clashes Raise the Stakes

As tensions mount, the Centre has scheduled a fresh round of talks with Ladakh leaders on October 6. However, after the failure of previous meetings, expectations remain low. In March, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with local representatives, but those talks reportedly ended with the Centre rejecting their core demands. Protest leaders claim the minister even admitted that making Ladakh a UT was a mistake, but refused to consider restoring statehood or granting Sixth Schedule status. With violence now entering the equation, the upcoming meeting could be a turning point, or deepen the crisis further. The people of Ladakh are watching closely, and their patience is wearing thin.