14 more accused held for Leh violence granted bail

Fourteen more individuals arrested in connection with the September 24 violence in Leh were released on Monday after a local court granted them bail, according to lawyers.

The violence had erupted during a hunger strike led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. Protesters, primarily youth, torched the BJP office, the Leh Hill Council building, and several vehicles. Security forces opened fire during the unrest, resulting in four fatalities. Wangchuk, who had been on a 35-day hunger strike, ended his protest soon after the incident.

"Today, 14 individuals were released from jail. Thirteen were granted interim bail by the court, while one had been granted bail earlier but was released today due to a documentation issue," said Mohd Shafi Lassu, president of the Bar Association, Leh.

Of the 39 people arrested on September 24, 38 have now been released on bail. Lassu added that around 70 individuals were detained in total, and more bail hearings are scheduled in the coming days.

Last week, the court had granted interim bail to 26 others linked to the violence. Meanwhile, Wangchuk remains detained under the National Security Act (NSA) and was shifted to Jodhpur Jail in Rajasthan shortly after the unrest.

On Saturday, Ladakh Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal had stated, “We will ensure that innocent youngsters are not subjected to any hardship or wrongful implication.”

Although the administration has begun easing restrictions, Leh is still struggling to return to normalcy. The Leh Apex Body (LAB), one of the two groups spearheading the ongoing movement for statehood and safeguards under the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule, disputed official claims that the normalcy had returned.

"Nothing is normal as long as the internet remains suspended and mass arrests continue," said LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay. He demanded the immediate lifting of restrictions, the release of all detainees, and the restoration of mobile internet services. “These steps are essential to restore public confidence,” he added.

Dorjay also accused the administration of harassing village heads (numberdars) who had informed locals about the LAB-led hunger strike held from September 10 to 24. "Numberdars are an integral part of our cultural fabric. Targeting them is unjustified and an attack on our community values," he said.

He stressed that peace cannot be restored through intimidation and called for the release of all detained community leaders. "Numberdars did not incite protests—they were simply performing their duties by communicating with villagers," Dorjay stated.

Meanwhile, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta chaired a high-level meeting on Monday to review the security situation in the Union Territory. “The UT remains peaceful, with schools, offices, and markets reopened,” said a statement from the L-G’s office posted on X.

The Lt Governor has been conducting daily security reviews since the September 24 incident and has directed officials to remain alert and prioritise peace and development in the region.