Authorities announced that the week-long curfew in Leh will be relaxed for four hours from 10 am on Tuesday, allowing shopkeepers to open their establishments. The relaxation aims to provide residents access to essential goods amid heightened security.
The previous relaxation occurred for two hours from 4 pm on Monday, following the completion of last rites for four individuals, including a retired Army personnel, who died in violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement agencies on September 24.
A police official stated that the decision to extend the curfew relaxation will depend on the emerging situation throughout the day. Leh‘s Additional District Magistrate, Ghulam Mohammed, directed the opening of groceries, essential services, hardware shops, and vegetable vendors during the relaxation period.
“Barring the violence last Wednesday, no untoward incident was reported. Police and paramilitary forces remain deployed in sensitive areas, maintaining vigilant oversight to ensure law and order,” the official confirmed.
Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has been chairing high-level security review meetings almost daily. On Monday, he urged residents to maintain peace, emphasizing that harmony is vital for development.
“I encourage all sections of society to uphold unity and not succumb to the designs of anti-social and anti-national elements. The administration stands firmly with the people and will ensure their safety, dignity, and progress,” Gupta emphasized.
The lieutenant governor praised the public for demonstrating remarkable restraint in challenging circumstances and assured them that all legitimate issues would be addressed through dialogue and democratic means.
Gupta also instructed enhanced intelligence gathering, regular community engagement, and prompt redress of public grievances to strengthen trust between the administration and residents.
Officials confirmed that mobile internet services remain suspended in Leh, and prohibitory orders forbidding gatherings of five or more persons are still in effect in other major parts of the Union Territory, including Kargil.
A curfew was imposed in Leh town following violent protests during a shutdown called by a constituent of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) on September 24, demanding statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.
More than 60 individuals were taken into custody during the unrest, which included two councilors. Notably, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act on September 26 and is currently lodged in Jodhpur jail, Rajasthan.
In response to the unrest, the Ladakh BJP is calling for a thorough investigation to ensure accountability and justice. They demand the immediate release of innocent individuals charged with minor offenses, expressing condolences to the families of the deceased.
“Ladakh is renowned for its beauty and the resilience of its people. We urge everyone to uphold peace and harmony. It is crucial that we do not take law and order into our hands or fall victim to misinformation. We must collaborate to ensure that peace prevails,” the party stated.
The BJP appealed to individuals to unite, fostering a spirit of harmony and cooperation among citizens to maintain peace and support efforts toward healing and reconciliation. (Agencies)
