Leh Apex Body (LAB) Co-Chairperson Chering Dorjay with other members addressing a press conference in Leh, Ladakh. File | Photo credit: PTI
The Ladakh administration on Saturday (October 18, 2025) erected barricades, imposed restrictions and restricted the movement of members of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), foiling a planned “peace march” held to express solidarity with the deaths that occurred during the September 24 protests.
Meanwhile, hundreds of locals staged a protest march in Kargil despite restrictions imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
“Barricades were set up on one side of my residence in the morning and police were deployed on the other. The Leh administration’s move to impose restrictions was illegal and unfortunate,” said Chering Dorjay Lakruk, president of the Ladakh Buddhist Association and co-chairman of the Ladakh apex body.
The Ladakh administration on Friday evening announced the reimposition of restrictions under Section 163, which prohibits gatherings of more than four people, “following reports of a potential threat to public peace and order in the area”. The administration’s move came after the Ladakh apex body, which has been spearheading the agitation for statehood and inclusion in the sixth schedule of the constitution, called for a “peace march” and an evening blackout in Leh “to express solidarity with the four locals who were killed in the violence in Leh on September 24”.
“We called for a peaceful march. It was not allowed. However, members of the Ladakh Apex Body took a symbolic march from Leh to the Shanti Stupa. Due to restrictions, no locals could join it,” Mr Lakruk said.
The Ladakh apex body has expressed some concerns about the judicial commission constituted by the Union Home Ministry (MHA), headed by former Supreme Court judge (retd) BS Chauhan.
“We welcome the judicial inquiry. However, we are concerned that the first information report number 144 mentioned in it is aimed at the protesters. Moreover, there is no member from Ladakh in the judicial commission. The absence of a Ladakh member will not inspire the same confidence. There should be members of the Ladakh fair and transparent investigation commission in the commission,” said the head of the Ladakh supreme body.
Mr. Lakruk said the Ladakh apex body was ready for “meaningful discussions” with the Center on demands regarding statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Plan.
Kargil March
Meanwhile, in Kargil city, hundreds of locals and members of the Kargil Democratic Alliance, a mix of religious and political organisations, staged a peaceful “silent march” in Kargil district and other parts including Drass, Sankoo, Tai Suru, Shargole and Zanskar. The placard-carrying protesters wore black armbands and covered their mouths with black cloth.
“We have been disenfranchised and democracy is being denied. We will continue to raise our voice for statehood and (inclusion in) the Sixth Schedule and will never forget the brutal attack in Leh and the arrest of activists, including Sonam Wangchuk,” said Sajjad Kargili, a member of the Kargil Democratic Alliance.
Mr. Kargili demanded a time-bound judicial inquiry into the September 24 incident and compensation for the dead and injured. “We also demand the immediate release of all detainees, including Mr. Wangchuk,” Mr. Kargili said.
Ladakh witnessed violent street protests on 24 September over demands for statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Plan. Activists, including Mr. Wangchuk, who has been on hunger strike since September 10, were detained on September 26, two days after the violence left four civilians dead. Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019 and since then local bodies have been demanding statehood, inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule, an additional seat in the Lok Sabha and a Public Service Commission.
Published – 18 Oct 2025 21:52 IST
