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| Month after unprecedented violence, life returns to normal in Ladakh | | | Sandeep Bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 24: Exactly a month after the unprecedented violence that shook Ladakh and claimed four lives, calm has gradually returned to the region following the Union Government’s decision to order a judicial probe and resume dialogue with local groups after nearly five months.
The violence erupted on September 24, when a bandh called by the youth wing of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) spiraled out of control, leaving four people dead and around 90 injured. In the aftermath, authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in Leh and restrictions across other parts of Ladakh to restore order.
Three days later, Ladakh Police arrested prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the Public Safety Act (PSA) while he was on a hunger strike. He was subsequently shifted to Jodhpur Jail in Rajasthan.
Lok Sabha member from Ladakh Hanifa Jan expressed optimism over the renewed dialogue between local representatives and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
“We are hopeful that the resumption of talks with the Ministry of Home
Affairs will help in addressing the long-pending genuine demands of the people,” Hanifa Jan told the media.
He said the October 22 meeting in New Delhi between the MHA and Ladakh representatives was held in a cordial atmosphere. Hanifa Jan was among the members of the Ladakh delegation that attended the talks.
The much-awaited dialogue between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ladakh representatives resumed on October 22 in New Delhi — nearly five months after talks had stalled. During the meeting, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) reiterated their core demands: granting statehood to Ladakh and securing Sixth Schedule constitutional safeguards.
The groups also pressed for compensation to the families of those killed and injured in the September 24 violence, revocation of the PSA imposed on Sonam Wangchuk, and the release of all detainees.
The Ladakhi groups had earlier made the institution of a judicial probe into the September 24 incident a precondition for rejoining the talks.
Responding to that demand, the MHA on October 17 announced a judicial inquiry into the police firing that led to the deaths of four protesters in Leh. A retired Supreme Court judge, Justice B. S. Chauhan, was appointed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the police action.
In its statement, the MHA said, “On 24.09.2025, a serious law and order situation arose in Leh town, resulting in police action that led to the unfortunate death of four individuals. To ensure an impartial inquiry, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has notified a judicial inquiry to be conducted by Dr. Justice B. S. Chauhan into the circumstances leading to the incident, the police action, and the resultant deaths.”
The announcement of the judicial probe paved the way for the resumption of dialogue, and within hours, the Ladakhi groups agreed to return to the negotiation table.
According to reports, the October 22 meeting was conducted in a positive and cooperative atmosphere. Representatives of the LAB and KDA stressed the need for time-bound meetings and a structured roadmap for resolving the region’s long-pending issues.
MHA officials reportedly assured the delegations that the Sub-Committee meeting held on October 22 would soon be followed by a High-Powered Committee (HPC) meeting, expected in the first or second week of November. |
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