Clashes in Ladakh Erupt During Hunger Strike for Statehood

(MENAFN) At least four individuals lost their lives and over 50 others sustained injuries after demonstrations in eastern Ladakh escalated into violence during a hunger protest calling for statehood and constitutional protections for the federally governed territory, officials stated on Wednesday.

A high-ranking police officer, speaking anonymously, informed a news agency that the fatalities included civilians, while the wounded comprised both demonstrators and law enforcement officials.

Local authorities enforced restrictions in Leh district, declaring that no gatherings, marches, or rallies would be permitted without prior authorization.

Kavinder Gupta, Ladakh’s chief administrator, urged for restraint in a video message, accusing certain organizations of undermining security in the region “due to their own interest.”

India’s Home Ministry held activist Sonam Wangchuk responsible for provoking the disorder.

In an official statement, it claimed that Wangchuk misled “people through provocative mention of Arab Spring-style protest and references to Gen Z protests in Nepal.”

“A mob instigated by his provocative speeches left the venue of the hunger strike and attacked a political party office as well as a government office,” the statement declared.

“The mob continued to destroy the public property and attack the police personnel. In self-defence, police had to resort to firing in which unfortunately some casualties are reported,” the ministry added.

Ladakh was separated from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, when New Delhi annulled the region’s special status and split it into two federally administered regions: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

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