Srinagar: At least four people were killed and 59 others injured on Wednesday after a protest in Leh demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule turned violent.
The demonstration, led largely by youth, escalated into clashes with police. Protesters hurled stones and attempted to storm key government offices, while several vehicles were set ablaze. Police responded with cane charges and tear gas, bringing the town to a standstill.
Officials confirmed that among the injured were dozens of police personnel.
The protest comes days ahead of a fresh round of talks scheduled for early October between the Union government and Ladakhi representatives over long-pending demands, including statehood, constitutional safeguards, and separate parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil.
Protesters called for shutdowns and vowed to intensify their agitation until their four-point agenda was met.
In Kargil, Kargil Democratic Alliance announced a complete shutdown on Thursday to express solidarity and press for inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule.
The violence marks one of the sharpest escalations in Ladakh since it was carved out as a Union Territory in 2019.
