On Wednesday in India, five individuals lost their lives during clashes between police and hundreds of protesters seeking more autonomy for Ladakh, a Himalayan territory, according to police reports. Numerous others were injured.
In Leh, the main city, protesters set a police vehicle and offices of the Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on fire. Police responded with tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd, officials stated.
“Five fatalities occurred following the protests,” a Leh police officer informed AFP, requesting anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak to media. “The injured number in the dozens.”
Another officer, Regzin Sangdup, confirmed “several injuries, including to police officers,” to AFP.
Authorities subsequently restricted gatherings, prohibiting assemblies of more than four individuals.
Ladakh, a sparsely populated high-altitude desert region with about 300,000 residents, shares borders with China and Pakistan.
About half of Ladakh’s population is Muslim, with around 40% being Buddhist.
As a “Union Territory,” Ladakh elects national parliament members but is directly governed by New Delhi.
Wednesday’s protests were in support of Sonam Wangchuk, a key activist on a two-week hunger strike.
Wangchuk demands either full statehood for Ladakh or constitutional safeguards for its tribal communities, land, and environment.
“Social unrest occurs when youth remain unemployed and are denied democratic rights,” Wangchuk stated on social media, urging people to avoid violence.
The Indian army maintains a significant presence in Ladakh, which includes disputed border areas with China.
In 2020, troops from India and China clashed there, resulting in 20 Indian and four Chinese soldier deaths.
In 2019, Modi’s government separated Ladakh from Indian-administered Kashmir, imposing direct rule.
New Delhi has yet to fulfill its promise to include Ladakh in India’s constitution’s “Sixth Schedule,” allowing self-governance.
“Democracy lacks a platform here today,” Wangchuk declared. “Even the promised Sixth Schedule remains unimplemented.”
