Leh: Authorities in Leh have imposed a curfew and detained at least 50 people a day after violent protests left four dead and more than 80 injured. Police and paramilitary forces enforced restrictions on Thursday following widespread clashes, arson and street violence in the city.
The unrest began on Wednesday after the Leh Apex Body (LAB) called for a bandh demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion of the Union Territory under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution. What started as a shutdown soon spiralled into violence, with protesters setting fire to the BJP office, torching several vehicles and ransacking the hill council headquarters.
Gatherings of more than five people have also been banned in Kargil and other towns. The bandh was supported by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) in solidarity with environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike for 35 days over the same demands.
Wangchuk called off his strike on Wednesday evening after the clashes escalated in Leh. Authorities have imposed an indefinite curfew in the city to prevent further violence.
