For the fourth consecutive day, Leh town in the Union Territory of Ladakh remains under an unyielding curfew, as authorities scramble to restore order in the aftermath of violent protests that have rocked the region. The unrest, which erupted on September 24, 2025, has left four protesters dead and at least 90 others injured, following a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) to press for statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh. The government’s response has included the high-profile arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, the imposition of sweeping restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and a heavy security presence that has upended daily life for thousands of residents.
According to The Assam Tribune, the curfew has been enforced by a combined force of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Ladakh Police, who have been patrolling sensitive areas to prevent further escalation. Mobile internet services were snapped in the Leh area as a precautionary measure, amplifying the sense of isolation in the region. The clampdown has also seen the closure of all government and private schools, Anganwadi centres, colleges, and coaching centres throughout the district until at least September 28, 2025. The Leh District Magistrate, Romil Singh Donk, issued the closure orders, citing the need to maintain public safety and prevent gatherings that might spark additional unrest.
The spark that ignited the recent violence was the continued agitation by the LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), who have jointly led a four-year movement demanding statehood, the extension of the Sixth Schedule (which currently provides greater autonomy to some northeastern states), separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil, and the creation of a Public Service Commission. The September 24 protest, which turned deadly after security forces opened fire in what they described as self-defense, marked a grim turning point for the region. Petrol bombs were reportedly used to set fire to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Hill Council offices, as well as several vehicles, including those belonging to security forces, according to The Assam Tribune.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has placed the blame for inciting the violence squarely on Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent climate activist and founder of the Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL). Wangchuk was arrested on September 26, 2025, under the National Security Act (NSA)—the first such detention in Ladakh since it was carved out as a Union Territory. Without official confirmation, sources indicated that Wangchuk had been shifted to Jodhpur Central Jail in Rajasthan, a move that has only intensified local anger and frustration. His arrest came just a day after the MHA cancelled SECMOL’s Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration, citing alleged financial discrepancies and violations of the Act.
Wangchuk’s detention has sent shockwaves through the community. As Devdiscourse reported, his transfer to Jodhpur Central Jail triggered widespread outrage among residents, many of whom see him as a leading voice for Ladakh’s environmental and political rights. Local resident Dolma pleaded with authorities to relax the restrictions, saying, “We request the administration to allow at least an hour daily for people to buy essential supplies.” Another elderly resident spoke of the acute hardships faced by infants and daily wage workers, underscoring the human cost of the ongoing clampdown. Rajendra Singh, a tenant from Jammu, echoed these concerns, calling for a brief daily curfew relief so residents could purchase food and other necessities.
Authorities have acted swiftly and decisively in response to the unrest. More than 50 people have been detained, with multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged by Ladakh Police against those accused of participating in or instigating the violence. The administration is also investigating the involvement of outsiders, including youth from Nepal and Doda, some of whom were among the injured. Officials told The Assam Tribune, “What the Nepalese and Doda youth are doing with the mob is a matter of investigation. They will be taken into custody for questioning once they are declared fit for discharge by the doctors.” The origins of the petrol bombs used during the violence are also under scrutiny, with authorities suspecting a larger conspiracy behind the arson and attacks on political offices.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has made it clear that it will not tolerate further unrest. Some individuals could face charges under the Public Safety Act (PSA), and two Congress Councillors are reportedly under investigation for their possible roles in the violence. Prohibitory orders banning the assembly of five or more people have been extended to other major towns, including Kargil, where the KDA called a parallel shutdown. The Kargil district administration imposed Section 163 to restrict gatherings and unauthorized processions, and police have been deployed in strength to patrol sensitive areas.
Despite these measures, the situation in Ladakh remains tense but largely peaceful. According to Kashmir Reader, no untoward incidents were reported across the Union Territory on September 26, 2025. Shops and business establishments in Kargil, which had been shut in solidarity with Leh, reopened on September 27, though police maintained a visible presence to deter any fresh outbreaks of violence. Still, many residents in Leh complained of shortages of essential supplies, including ration, milk, and vegetables, as the curfew continued to disrupt daily routines.
Amidst the turmoil, the process of dialogue with the central government has not come to a halt. A high-level team from the Ministry of Home Affairs arrived in Leh on September 25, 2025, to assess the security situation and hold a series of meetings with the Lieutenant Governor, civil and police officers, and representatives of the LAB. A preparatory meeting with the Home Ministry is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on September 27 or 28, with three representatives each from LAB and KDA, as well as the Ladakh MP, Mohd Hanifa Jan, expected to attend. This meeting will be followed by an official session with a High Powered Committee comprising seven members each from LAB and KDA, focusing on a four-point agenda. As LAB chairman Thupstan Chhewang and co-chairman Chering Dorjay stated in a joint statement, “The preparatory meeting shall be followed by an immediate official meeting of the Home Ministry with a High Powered Committee comprising seven members each from LAB and KDA on four-point agenda.”
Previous rounds of talks between the government and the agitating groups have yielded agreements on job guarantees and the allocation of an additional Lok Sabha seat for Ladakh, pending a decision from the delimitation commission. However, the core demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule extension remain unresolved, with the next round of talks scheduled for October 6, 2025.
As authorities continue to enforce strict measures and residents grapple with shortages and uncertainty, Ladakh stands at a crossroads. The coming days are likely to test the resolve of both the government and the region’s activists as they seek a path forward that balances security, autonomy, and the well-being of the people.
