Ladakh Peaceful; School, Offices Reopen: LG Office

LAB Calls It Illusion, Slams 'Continuing' Arrests

- Press Trust Of India

Ladakh remains peaceful with schools, offices and markets reopened, the Union Territory administration asserted on Monday, even as Leh Apex Body (LAB) claimed that the situation is far from normal and demanded the immediate lifting of all curbs and the release of detainees to restore the confidence of people.

"Normalcy cannot return through intimidation .... What appears normal on the surface is just an illusion," LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay said at a press conference and alleged that "mass arrests" were continuing.

Ladakh Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta reviewed the security situation in the Union Territory on Monday. Leh was rocked by widespread violence on September 24 during an agitation spearheaded by LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) for statehood and extension of Sixth schedule safeguards that left four persons dead and scores of others injured, prompting imposition of curfew and suspension of mobile internet service.

While the curfew was gradually lifted since the beginning of this month and schools up to class 8 started functioning from October 3, prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more persons together remain in force, internet mobile services remain suspended along with work in the rest of the educational institutions.