SRINAGAR: Police detained 48 people during pre-dawn searches Thursday after four protesters were killed and more than 80 wounded when security forces allegedly opened fire to quash a violent demonstration in Leh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh.Peace returned Thursday under heavy curfew. Traffic on streets in Leh was thin, with only official vehicles moving. Alongside police and paramilitary, ITBP patrolled to enforce order. District magistrate Romil Singh Donk ordered closure of all schools and colleges for two days from Sept 26.At Sonam Norboo Memorial Hospital, calm prevailed after Wednesday’s rush. Sources said four bodies were handed to families following autopsy, while recovered bullets were sent to Forensic Science Laboratory in J&K. About 60 of the wounded were discharged. One critical patient will be shifted to AIIMS, officials said.The clashes left 20 security personnel among the wounded. Protesters torched the BJP office, damaged public property, and threw stones at forces. LG Kavinder Gupta accused demonstrators of trying to set a paramilitary vehicle on fire and blamed “outsiders” and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s “provocative” statements for inflaming youth. Wangchuk held a hunger strike from Sept 9 for Sixth Schedule and statehood, which he ended Wednesday.Sixth Schedule in the Constitution grants tribal areas in the Northeast autonomy over land, resources and culture. Ladakhis have sought similar protections since 2019 when J&K was carved into two Union territories, including Ladakh. Talks with a high-powered committee set up by Centre in 2023 yielded only a domicile policy. Another round is due Oct 6, but delays have fuelled anger.Ladakh MP Haji Mohammad Haneefa Jan demanded an investigation into the use of bullets and pellets, calling the force “disproportionate”. Speaking in Kargil, where a shutdown was observed on the call of Kargil Democratic Alliance, he said govt delays in dialogue had frustrated youth. Kargil district magistrate imposed curfew Thursday morning.J&K CM Omar Abdullah urged restraint. “They should adopt the path of peace, and govt should pay attention to their legitimate demands,” he said, adding that authorities must examine “why such situations arise instead of blaming others”.In Srinagar, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah rejected LG’s claims of outside involvement. “China is on our doorstep and has already taken control of much of our land. It is better to resolve the issue through dialogue,” he said.Congress veteran Karan Singh, son of J&K’s last Dogra ruler, appealed to Ladakhis to remain calm and urged govt to consider constitutional safeguards. “Inclusion in something like the Sixth Schedule seems an eminently reasonable solution,” he said.Congress functionaries from J&K and Ladakh blamed BJP and Centre for ignoring demands over land, culture, jobs and political rights. “Now indulging in blame game is part of their diversionary tactics… it is an insult to the peaceful people of Ladakh,” they said in a joint statement.(inputs from Sanjay Khajuria in Jammu)
