Massive unrest in Leh over statehood demand; BJP office attacked, police van set ablaze

Protests erupted in Leh, Ladakh on Sep 24 escalating into violent confrontations as demonstrators clashed with police and set a police vehicle on fire.

The unrest was sparked by the youth wing of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), which organized the protests in support of environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for 14 days demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh.

The protests saw agitators pelting stones at the local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office, marking a significant escalation in the agitation that has been gaining momentum over the past weeks.

According to local reports, the unrest reflects growing frustration among Ladakh’s residents over what they perceive as neglect from the central government since Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019.

The introduction of the domicile policy after the last round of talks between the government and Ladakh’s leadership in May 2025 did little to alleviate concerns, leading to mounting tensions across Leh and Kargil districts.

The unrest underscores the growing frustration and insecurity among Ladakh's residents regarding the Union Territory's political representation and administrative autonomy.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had announced the resumption of talks with Ladakhi leadership on Sep 20, with the next round scheduled for Oct 6.

The last round of talks between the high-powered committee and the joint leadership of LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) was held on May 27, leading to the introduction of a domicile policy in Ladakh. Since then, no further talks have been held, contributing to the current unrest.

Sajad Kargili, leader of the Kargil Democratic Front, condemned the government's handling of the situation, stating that Ladakh, once peaceful, is now gripped by frustration and insecurity due to the government's failed Union Territory experiment.

He called on the government to resume dialogue and fulfill Ladakh's demand for statehood and Sixth Schedule status without delay.

The upcoming talks on Oct 6 are seen as a critical opportunity for the government to address the concerns of Ladakh's residents and restore peace in the region.