FOUR KILLED, OVER 70 INJURED AS LADAKH PROTESTS TURN VIOLENT

Four killed, 70 injured as Ladakh statehood protests erupt in violent clashes in Leh.

- AJAY JANDYAL/AGENCIES

At least four people were killed and over 70 others injured on Wednesday as massive protests in Leh demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule spiralled into violence, forcing authorities to impose a curfew and deploy additional security forces.

The unrest saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Leh set ablaze, along with a police vehicle, after protesters clashed with security personnel. Police responded with baton charges and teargas to contain the mob, while prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita were enforced, banning gatherings of more than five people.

BJP leaders quickly blamed the Congress for instigating the violence. Party IT Cell chief Amit Malviya accused Congress councillor Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag of "rioting" and directly linked the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to the unrest. "This man rioting in Ladakh is Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag, Congress Councillor for Upper Leh Ward... Is this the kind of unrest Rahul Gandhi has been fantasising about?" Malviya wrote on X.