Congress blames Govt for Ladakh killings, demands probe

The Congress on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of betraying the people of Ladakh, after four people, including a Kargil war veteran, were killed in police firing during protests in Leh last week.

- ANAND SINGH/AJAY JANDYAL/ AGENCIES

The unrest, which triggered a week-long curfew and mass detentions, has also led to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's arrest under the National Security Act (NSA), deepening the standoff between Ladakhi groups and the Centre.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, currently on a South American tour, demanded a judicial probe into the killings. Posting a video of slain ex-serviceman Tsewang Tharchin's father, also an Army veteran, Gandhi said: "Father a soldier, son also a soldier—patriotism runs in their blood. Yet the BJP government shot and killed this brave son of the nation simply because he stood up for Ladakh and his rights." He accused Modi of "betraying the people of Ladakh" and urged him to "engage in dialogue and stop the politics of violence and fear."