Leh, Sep 24 (NationPress) In a tragic turn of events, four protesters lost their lives and more than 70 individuals were injured during intense clashes between the security forces and unruly demonstrators in Leh town on Wednesday. Following this upheaval, the District Magistrate (DM) enacted restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNS) Act, 2023.

Chering Dorjay, the chairman of the Leh Hill Development Council, confirmed to journalists that the violence resulted in the deaths and injuries reported.

DM Leh, Romil Singh Donk, implemented restrictions under the BNS Act, citing concerns about potential disruptions to public peace, threats to human life, and possible law-and-order issues within the district.

In his order, the DM expressed that immediate preventive and remedial actions were essential to uphold public order and tranquillity.

Consequently, several restrictions were enforced immediately. According to the directive, no procession, rally, or march is permitted without prior written consent from the competent authority.

The deployment of vehicles equipped with loudspeakers or sound systems is also prohibited unless approved by the authorities. Furthermore, individuals are barred from making statements that could disturb public peace or incite law-and-order issues.

The assembly of five or more individuals is also prohibited within the jurisdiction of Leh district. The DM clarified that due to the inability to serve individual notices, this order is being passed ex-parte and will remain effective until further notice.

Officials indicated that these restrictions aim to avert any potential escalation of tensions and ensure peace throughout Leh.

Security forces have been directed to strictly enforce these prohibitory measures.

Numerous unruly protesters engaged in stone-pelting against police, set fire to vehicles, including a CRPF vehicle, vandalized and burned the BJP office, and attempted to ignite the Secretariat of the Leh Hill Development Council.

Attempts to storm the Secretariat building were thwarted by police utilizing tear gas and batons.

The protests commenced in solidarity with hunger strikers who had been fasting for nearly two weeks but escalated violently when the crowd attempted to attack the Leh Hill Council Secretariat.

Protesters carrying placards and banners marched towards the Secretariat, chanting slogans against the administration and demanding prompt attention to their grievances.

Witnesses reported that as the protest grew, a faction of the crowd became unruly and attempted to set fire to the Hill Council Secretariat building.

Fire and emergency personnel promptly arrived at the scene and managed to control the fire before it spread, though the building sustained partial damage.

The situation escalated when clashes erupted between protesters and police and CRPF personnel stationed in the area. The angry crowd set a CRPF vehicle ablaze.

The police initially responded by deploying tear gas shells to disperse the protesters, resulting in chaos in the streets.

As violence escalated, security forces resorted to live fire to restore order.

Officials reported that over three dozen security personnel were injured, with several sustaining critical injuries and receiving hospital treatment.

The Apex Body has been leading a hunger strike that has now extended into its third week. During this period, the health of two participants, a 72-year-old named Chhering Angchok and a 60-year-old named Doma, deteriorated due to their prolonged fasting.

Both individuals were rushed to the hospital for treatment. News of their condition ignited widespread outrage across Ladakh, drawing more individuals into the protest movement.

Following the outbreak of protests, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk called off his hunger strike, urging everyone to remain calm.

He emphasized that the only way to achieve their demands is through peaceful protests in the Gandhian tradition, asserting that violence would only exacerbate tensions and difficulties.

The main demands include the implementation of the Sixth Schedule, statehood, and the protection of the region's fragile ecosystem.

Simultaneously, the two-day Leh Festival was abruptly canceled on Wednesday following the violent protests, prompting the administration to call off its concluding events.

In light of the violence, the administration announced the cancellation of the Leh Festival's final day, which was scheduled to conclude with a ceremony attended by the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta.

Officials indicated that the prevailing law and order conditions made it impossible to proceed with the program. The festival, a significant cultural highlight in Ladakh, aimed to promote tourism and celebrate local traditions.

Authorities confirmed that enhanced security measures will remain in effect throughout Leh to prevent further disturbances.

BJP senior leader Amit Malviya commented on X, stating, “This man rioting in Ladakh is Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag, Congress Councillor for Upper Leh Ward. He can be clearly seen instigating the mob and participating in violence that targeted the BJP office and the Hill Council. Is this the kind of unrest Rahul Gandhi has been fantasizing about?”

Malviya also shared images backing his claims that the Congress leader was inciting and engaging in today's violence.

In response to the situation in Ladakh, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah remarked on X, “Ladakh wasn’t even promised Statehood; they celebrated UT status in 2019, and they feel betrayed and angry. Now try to imagine how betrayed and disappointed we in J&K feel when the promise of statehood to J&K remains unfulfilled even though we have gone about demanding it democratically, peacefully & responsibly.”