Authorities in Leh have announced a four-hour relaxation of the curfew from 10 am on Tuesday, enabling shopkeepers to reopen their businesses. This decision follows a week-long curfew imposed after violent protests in the town.
The relaxation period came after a two-hour break on Monday at 4 pm, which coincided with the conclusion of the last rites for four deceased individuals, including a retired Army personnel, who lost their lives during clashes on September 24.
Assessing the situation continuously, a police official stated that the decision on whether to extend the relaxation would depend on developments throughout the day.
Ghulam Mohammed, the Additional District Magistrate in Leh, mandated the opening of all essential services, including groceries, hardware stores, and vegetable stalls, during the relaxation window to ease the hardships faced by residents.
“Despite the violence last Wednesday, no further incidents have been reported,” the official confirmed. Police and paramilitary forces remain deployed in sensitive areas, maintaining vigilant oversight to ensure law and order.
Kavinder Gupta, the Lieutenant Governor, has been actively chairing high-level security review meetings. In a statement on Monday, he urged citizens to preserve peace, highlighting its importance for development.
“I call upon all sections of society to uphold unity and harmony, resisting the influence of anti-social and anti-national elements,” Gupta urged, assuring the community that the administration stands firm in delivering safety, dignity, and progress to the people.
In an effort to effectively address public grievances, the Lieutenant Governor announced enhanced intelligence operations and regular community discussions to build trust between the administration and citizens.
Despite the relaxations, officials reported that mobile internet services continue to face suspension in Leh town, while prohibitory orders against gatherings of five or more individuals remain enforced in significant areas of the Union Territory, including Kargil.
The curfew was enacted in Leh on the evening of September 24 after violence erupted during a shutdown led by a faction of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), aiming to expedite discussions with the Central government over statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.
In the aftermath of these protests, over 60 individuals, including two councilors, were taken into custody, among them climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has since been detained under the National Security Act.
In response to the turmoil, the Ladakh BJP has called for a thorough investigation to ensure accountability. The party demands the immediate release of all individuals charged with minor infractions and expresses condolences to the bereaved families.
Ladakh is celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes and the resilience of its community. The BJP emphasized the necessity of upholding peace and harmony, urging citizens to avoid lawlessness and misinformation. “We must collectively ensure the preservation of peace,” it concluded.
The BJP further called on all citizens to cooperate in maintaining security and to support healing and reconciliation within the community.
