Restrictions lifted in Leh after review of security situation

The Ladakh administration on Wednesday lifted restrictions imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, in Leh, following a review of the security situation by local authorities.

The restrictions had been in place since September 24, after violence erupted during a protest led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a 35-day hunger strike demanding constitutional safeguards for Ladakh. The incident left four people dead and nearly 100 injured in security forces’ firing.

According to a notification issued by District Magistrate Romil Singh Donk, the restrictions were initially imposed to prevent any breach of peace and disturbance to public order. However, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Leh, reported that there was no longer any imminent threat and recommended the restrictions be lifted.

“Therefore, I, Romil Singh Donk, IAS, District Magistrate, Leh, do hereby withdraw the restrictions imposed vide this office order endorsement No. JC-69(I)2025 (903) dated 24.09.2025 with immediate effect,” the notification read.

The move comes a day after the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)—the two major groups spearheading the ongoing movement—issued a stern warning to the administration. They announced plans for a two-hour silent march across Ladakh, followed by an evening blackout from 6 pm to 9 pm, in protest against the continued delay in talks with the Centre over fresh demands.

Mobile internet services, which had been suspended after the September 24 unrest, were also recently restored by the administration.