Sonam Wangchuk (PTI file photo)
Sonam Wangchuk ends fast; clampdown on rallies, marchesSRINAGAR: Four protesters were killed and 58 wounded Wednesday when police and paramilitary forces allegedly opened fire on demonstrators in Leh demanding Sixth Schedule protections and statehood for Ladakh.The deaths — men aged 19, 20, 23 and 46 — marked the first fatal violence in Ladakh since it became a Union territory in 2019 after Article 370’s abrogation and bifurcation of J&K. Their names have not been released.Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a 35-day hunger strike for Sixth Schedule status but ended it after 14 days Wednesday, said youths erupted in anger after two hunger-strikers collapsed Tuesday and were hospitalised in critical condition. “That moved the youths of Ladakh and they came out Wednesday in thousands to express solidarity at Martyrs’ Ground in Leh,” Wangchuk said. “Some of them have lost limbs.”He said about 2,000 broke from the larger crowd and began marching, allegedly burning a police vehicle, a govt office and a BJP office. Police initially used tear gas and lathi charges before firing live rounds as the crowd hurled stones, wounding at least 20 security personnel, according to officials. LG Kavinder Gupta called the violence a conspiracy to disturb peace in Ladakh. “For the past few days, a fast was observed in Ladakh, and we know fasting is part of a democratic system. But in the past two days, people have been provoked by comparisons to Nepal and Bangladesh. Some threatened to set fire to political party offices. We consider such methods against the system of democracy,” he said, without mentioning Wangchuk’s hunger strike.Ladakh MP Haji Mohmad Haneefa Jan accused security forces of “disproportionate force” and the administration of “complete failure”. “Ladakhi people are very peaceful. The protesters could have been handled with a lathi charge,” Jan said.Following the clashes, Leh’s district magistrate ordered Section 163 of BNSS, banning rallies and marches without written approval. Reinforcements have been deployed.Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, designed for tribal areas in the Northeast, grants special protections over land, resources and culture through autonomous councils. Ladakhis have pressed for similar safeguards since 2019, warning of demographic and industrial pressures.In Jan 2023, Union home ministry set up a high-powered committee after sustained protests by Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). The last round of talks on May 27 produced a domicile policy but little else. The ministry announced another meeting for Oct 6, but delays have fuelled anger.On Monday, LAB affiliate Apex Youth and Religious Youth called a shutdown supporting Wangchuk’s hunger strike. Before his strike beginning Sept 9, Wangchuk accused BJP of reneging on its 2020 promise of Sixth Schedule status in Ladakh Hill Council manifesto.“The govt should understand how much pent-up anger is among the youths of Ladakh and how suffocated they are feeling,” Wangchuk said, urging officials to offer authentic assurances on Sixth Schedule and statehood.He admitted the bloodshed had overshadowed his peaceful campaign since 2020 but blamed govt inaction for frustration among Ladakhi youths. “These are the same youths who all these years remained inside their homes and were busy with their study,” he said. “My message of a peaceful path failed today. I appeal to youth to please stop this nonsense. This only damages our cause.”
