Violence flares up in Leh 4 killed 89 injured BJP Hill Council offices CRPF vehicle set afire

Violence flared up in Leh town this morning resulting into the death of four civilians and injuries to 89 others including 59 civilians and 30 cops as mobs set afire the BJP office, a security vehicle and the Hill Council office and damaged other buildings and vehicles prompting police and paramilitary personnel to open firing, lob teargas shells and lathicharge to control the situation. Violence erupted after the youth on the call of youth wing of LAB took to streets demanding preponement of the talks with Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) scheduled to be held on October 6. The LAB and KDA have been demanding Statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. The KDA has called for bandh in Kargil tomorrow in protest against today’s killings. Soon after the violence, curfew was imposed in Leh and Congress Councilor Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag was booked for provocative speech. Last day of Ladakh festival scheduled for today was also cancelled. The Government squarely blamed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was sitting on fast since September 10, for provocations leading to the violence. Some youth within the mob reportedly tried to catch hold of police and CRPF personnel to snatch their weapons and cause physical harm to them but their attempt was foiled.
Administration requisitioned ITBP and its two companies were deployed in Leh town which staged flag march to restore peace. Police and CRPF have also been deployed in strength.
An official statement issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) tonight on Leh violence said the demands on which Sonam Wangchuk was sitting on hunger strike are integral part of the discussion in the High Powered Committee (HPC), whose meeting was scheduled for October 6.
“In spite of many leaders urging Wangchuk to call off the hunger strike he continued with it misleading the people through provocative mention of Arab Spring-style protest and references to Gen Z protests in Nepal,” the statement said.
Today, at around 11.30 am, it said, a mob instigated by his provocative speeches left the venue of the hunger strike and attacked a political party office as well as Government office of the CEC Leh. They also set these offices on fire, attacked the security personnel, and torched police vehicle.
“The unruly mob attacked the police personnel in which more than 30 police/CRPF personnel were injured. 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 statement said, adding the situation was brought under control by 4 PM.
“It is clear that the mob was incited by Sonam Wangchuk through his provocative statements. Incidentally, amidst these violent developments, he broke his fast and left for his village in an ambulance without making serious efforts to control the situation,” the statement said, adding the hunger strike was started by Wangchuk on September 10 on the demand of 6th schedule and statehood for Ladakh though it is well known that Government of India has been actively engaged with Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance on same issues.
“Series of meetings were held with them through formal channel of High-Powered Committee as well as Sub-committee and multiple informal meetings with leaders. The process of dialogue through this mechanism has yielded phenomenal results by increasing reservations for Ladakh Scheduled Tribe from 45 percent to 84 percent, providing 1/3 women reservations in the Councils and declaring Bhoti and Purgi as official languages. With this, process for recruitment of 1800 posts was also commenced.
“However, certain politically motivated individuals were not happy with the progress made under HPC has been trying to sabotage the dialogue process. The next meeting of High-Powered Committee has been scheduled on 6th October while meetings are also planned on 25th and 26th September with the leaders from Ladakh,” the MHA said.
It added that the Government stands committed to the aspiration of people of Ladakh by providing adequate Constitutional safeguards. It requested the people not to circulate the old and provocative videos in the media and social media.
Earlier in the day, violence, arson and street clashes spread in Leh town leaving four people dead and at least 89 injured, including 30 police and CRPF personnel. Violence in Leh was reported for the first time since August 27, 1989 when three civilians were killed in police firing during protest seeking the Union Territory status for Ladakh.
Groups of youths, indulging in arson and vandalism, targeted the headquarters of the BJP and the Hill Council and set ablaze them besides some vehicles including one from the CRPF. Police and paramilitary forces, deployed in strength across the town, lobbed teargas shells to bring the situation under control.
The police and paramilitary personnel are reported to have opened firing as mobs kept going on rampage and also tried to attack them physically.
With at least six of those injured in a critical condition, there are fears the death toll could go up.
Curfew has been imposed as a precautionary measure, the officials said.
The morning began with a complete shutdown in Leh capital and hundreds of people took to the streets. As the day progressed, flames and dark smoke clouds could be seen from afar.
The Leh Apex Body (LAB) youth wing yesterday called for the protest today after two of the 15 people, who were on a 35-day hunger strike since September 10, were shifted to a hospital because their condition deteriorated on Tuesday evening.
Congress leader and councilor Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag was booked for allegedly making a provocative speech at the hunger strike venue on Tuesday.
As the day progressed, flames and dark smoke clouds could be seen from afar. The BJP office, Leh Hill Council office and CRPF Gypsy could be seen burning while other buildings and vehicles were damaged in stone pelting which prompted police and paramilitary personnel to open firing and teargassing and canecharge the mob to prevent further damage to the Government property as well as lives of security personnel and other persons.
The Youth Wing of LAB fast was to push the Centre to hold early dialogue instead of October 6 proposed meeting in support of their four-point demands – Statehood, extension of Sixth Schedule, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil and reservation for employment.
The Constitution’s Sixth Schedule, meant for the tribal population of the four northeast states of Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam, makes special provisions in terms of governance, powers of president and the governor, type of local bodies, alternate judicial mechanisms and financial powers exercised through autonomous councils.
The LAB and KDA had been jointly spearheading an agitation over the past four years in support of their demands and have held several rounds of talks with the MHA in the past.
Tension had been building up since Tuesday evening.
Former MP and LAB chairperson Thupstan Chhewang, who had resigned from the body after the last round of talks on May 27, has returned to the helm and is likely to lead the joint delegation during the negotiations.
The Congress opted out of the LAB after some constituents expressed the view that the LAB delegation should be non-political in view of the Leh Hill Council elections next month.
Meanwhile, the four-day annual Ladakh festival was cancelled on the last day today following the violence.
Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta was scheduled to attend the closing ceremony of the festival, which started here on Sunday.
“The administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh has announced cancellation of the last day and closing ceremony of the ongoing Ladakh Festival due to unavoidable circumstances. The administration deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to all stakeholders including local artists, cultural troupes, tourists, and the people of Ladakh who were eagerly looking forward to the event,” the Department of Information and Public Relations said in a statement.
The administration appealed to the public for cooperation and understanding, and expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and participation in the festival.
The Ladakh festival has served as a valuable platform for young and budding artists from the region to showcase their talent and develop their skills, further aiming to promote and strengthen the tourism sector across the Union Territory, the statement said.
Earlier, addressing an online press conference, Sonam Wangchuk said the fact that Tsering Angchuk (72) and Tashi Dolma (60) were taken to a hospital was most likely the immediate trigger for the violent protest.
With the situation worsening rapidly, he stepped in with an appeal and an announcement that he was cutting short the fast.
“I request the youth of Ladakh to stop the violence forthwith as it only causes harm to our cause and further deteriorates the situation. We do not want instability in Ladakh and the country,” he told his supporters.
Teargas shells were heard in the backdrop as he spoke.
“This is the saddest day for Ladakh and for myself personally because the path we are treading for the last five years was peaceful… We held hunger strikes on five occasions and walked from Leh to Delhi but today we are seeing our message of peace failing because of the incidents of violence and arson,” Wangchuk said.
“We are ending our fast immediately… the aim of the hunger strike is not fulfilled if our youth lose their lives,” he said.

Violence will not be tolerated: LG
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta, has strongly condemned the unfortunate incident in Leh town that led to the loss of lives and injuries to several civilians and security personnel.
In a handout, he expressed deep grief over the tragic deaths and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Taking serious note of the stone-pelting and arson incidents, which created a law-and-order situation and resulted in damage to the democratic institutions and public infrastructure, Kavinder directed the administration and law enforcement agencies to ensure strict measures for the restoration of normalcy and the safety of the public. He emphasized that violence in any form is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
The Lt Governor said that those found involved in this heart-wrenching incident will be brought to justice and dealt with sternly as per the law. He further directed the police and district administration to identify and take strict action against all elements responsible for disturbing peace and causing damage.
He appealed to the people of Ladakh to maintain peace, harmony, and brotherhood, and refrain from being misled by elements attempting to disrupt social fabric and public order. He said, “Our strength lies in unity and dialogue, not in violence. I urge everyone to extend full cooperation to the administration in maintaining peace and stability in the region.”
Reiterating the Government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people of Ladakh, Kavinder assured that all genuine demands of the citizens will be addressed in a just and timely manner. He reaffirmed that the administration stands dedicated to preserving the interests of Ladakh while ensuring development, progress, and security for all.

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 Courtesy: Daily Excelsior -25th Sept., 2025