LEH CONTINUES UNDER CURFEW FOR DAY 5 AS TENSIONS LINGER

Curfew remained in force in this violence-hit town for the fifth consecutive day on Sunday, even as Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta prepared to chair a crucial security review meeting to decide on further relaxation of restrictions, officials said.

- AJAY JANDYAL

The curfew was clamped on Wednesday evening after widespread violence erupted during a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB), which is pressing for statehood for Ladakh and extension of the Sixth Schedule to the Union Territory. The agitation left four people dead and scores injured, while over 50 individuals were detained for alleged involvement in rioting. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was also detained under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) and shifted to Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.