Leh was gripped by chaos on September 24 as the long-simmering statehood agitation in Ladakh spiralled into violence.
Protesters demanding statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule set a BJP office and a security vehicle ablaze, forcing police to fire teargas shells to control the mob.
The unrest followed a shutdown called by student and youth organisations after two elderly hunger strikers collapsed on Tuesday.
“The youth went out of control,” Congress leader Tsering Namgyal said, as thousands converged at the protest site amid heavy police and paramilitary deployment.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has led the 35-day-long hunger strike, expressed anguish at the violence. “Very sad events in Leh. My message of peaceful path failed today.
I appeal to youth to please stop this nonsense. This only damages our cause,” he posted on X.
Since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Ladakh has remained without a legislature, fuelling demands for Sixth Schedule protections to safeguard land and tribal rights.
With over 90% of its population from Scheduled Tribes, Ladakhis say their identity and future are at stake.
The Centre is set to hold the next round of talks with Ladakhi leaders on October 6. But the flames in Leh have signaled a dangerous escalation — and a movement at breaking point.
