Curfew on as Leh bids adieu to 2 killed in clashes

The funerals of two out of four people killed during a protest in Ladakh last week were held in Leh on Sunday even as strict curfew remained in force with no relaxations.

- Ashiq Hussain

“The situation has been stable while the restrictions were strictly enforced. There were no relaxations in the curbs today as two funerals were held in the city,” said a police officer of Leh. “Two more funerals are scheduled for tomorrow,” he said.

This was the fifth day that Leh town remained under curfew after violent protests over demands of statehood and protection under the sixth schedule erupted on Wednesday.

Four people were killed and around 100 injured in Ladakh during sweeping protests demanding full statehood for the Union territory and protections for jobs and land on Wednesday. Eyewitnesses said young protesters in their hundreds pelted stones, vandalised buildings and set the BJP office and a police vehicle ablaze. Police said it had to resort to lathi charge and tear gas shells to disperse the protesters, but Wangchuk said police used lethal weapons.