Clashes erupt in Ladakh amid shutdown to press for advancing talks with Centre

Police fired teargas shells and resorted to baton charge after a group of youths allegedly turned violent and pelted stones amid a massive protest and shutdown here. The protest was held in support of the demand to advance the proposed talks with the Centre on extension of Sixth Schedule as well as statehood to Ladakh. A fresh round of talks is scheduled between the Centre and Ladakh representatives, comprising members of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on October 6. The LAB youth wing had given a call for protest and shutdown after two of 15 people, who were on a 35-day hunger strike since September 10, were shifted to a hospital after their condition deteriorated on Tuesday evening. The hunger strike led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was also part of the ongoing agitation in the region. The protestors torched a security vehicle outside the BJP office in Leh, an official said, adding that additional forces have been deployed to restore order.

The four-day annual Ladakh festival was cancelled on the last day on Wednesday after clashes erupted between police and protesters amid a shutdown here. A shutdown was observed in Leh amid demands to advance the proposed talks with Centre on the extension of Sixth Schedule as well as statehood to Ladakh. Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta was scheduled to attend the closing ceremony of the festival, which started here on Sunday. "The administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh has announced cancellation of the last day and closing ceremony of the ongoing Ladakh Festival due to unavoidable circumstances. The administration deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to all stakeholders including local artists, cultural troupes, tourists, and the people of Ladakh who were eagerly looking forward to the event," the Department of Information and Public Relations said in a statement. The administration appealed to the public for cooperation and understanding, and expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and participation in the festival. The Ladakh festival has served as a valuable platform for young and budding artists from the region to showcase their talent and develop their skills, further aiming to promote and strengthen the tourism sector across the Union Territory, the statement said.