Leh march foiled; talks between Ladakh leaders, Centre likely next week

A planned silent march in Leh by Ladakh leaders seeking to express solidarity with those killed during the September 24 violence was thwarted on Saturday as the local administration imposed strict security measures in several parts and suspended mobile Internet across the UT.

However, a similar march was allowed in Kargil where leaders condemned the restrictions in Leh, but welcomed the announcement of a judicial probe into the circumstances leading to the violence and the action by security forces on protesters.

The crackdown on the silent march was criticised by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which have been spearheading the agitation for Ladakh’s statehood and the Sixth Schedule status.

Amid fresh tensions, sources said the LAB had been informed by the Centre through back-channel communication that the next round of talks could take place next week.

Meanwhile, Ladakh leaders said that in response to their announcement, “people across the UT observed a blackout from 6 pm to 9 pm”. The LAB and the KDA had announced the silent march and blackout on Thursday to protest the Centre’s delay in ordering the judicial probe into the violence.

While the Ministry of Home Affairs ordered a judicial inquiry on Friday, the LAB and the KDA refused to call off their march.

Officials said police and paramilitary forces were deployed in strength in Leh and adjoining areas. Fearing law and order problems, the authorities imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS, suspended mobile Internet services and also ordered the closure of educational institutions, they said.

Speaking to The Tribune, LAB co-chairman Cherring Dorjay Lakruk claimed he was placed under house arrest for two hours. “The crackdown on a peaceful march will prove counterproductive. People only wanted to honour those killed and injured in the police firing,” he said.

In Kargil, people wore black bands and taped their mouths during the march. KDA leader Sajjad Kargili said the march was held across Kargil district. “Ladakhis have been excluded from democracy and rendered voiceless. We will continue raising our voice peacefully for statehood and the Sixth Schedule status. We can never forget the brutal attack in Leh and the arrest of activists, including Sonam Wangchuk,” he said.

Ladakh MP Mohammad Hanifa Jan called the curbs in Leh as “another attempt to suppress the voice of the people”. “We had announced a silent peace march in Leh and Kargil. But stringent restrictions were imposed despite our assurance to the administration that it will be a peaceful march,” said the MP.