7 hrs ago
Ladakh Shutdown Marks Anniversary of Deadly Protest Violence
Many people in Ladakh closed their shops and businesses to remember violence from a protest one year earlier.
The violence happened on September 24, 2025.
Four people died and several others were injured.
The original protesters were asking for statehood and special protections under the Constitution's Sixth Schedule.
People in Leh and Kargil held prayers and remembrance events.
Sonam Wangchuk joined a symbolic walking march in Leh.
The march was shortened because of changing weather and had limited participation.
Wangchuk asked officials to release the report investigating what happened.
On the same day, the lieutenant governor approved dropping criminal cases against 20 people connected to the violence.
Leh, Kargil and other parts of Ladakh observed a shutdown on the first anniversary of September 24 violence.
The 2025 protests over statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards left four people dead and several injured.
Tributes and remembrance programmes were held, with some residents observing the day as Shaheed Diwas or Martyrs' Day.
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved withdrawing criminal cases against 20 people booked over the violence.
Sonam Wangchuk led a shortened symbolic march and demanded the public release of the judicial inquiry report.
- Who
- Residents and organisations in Ladakh, including the Apex Body Leh, the Kargil Democratic Alliance and Sonam Wangchuk, observed the anniversary; Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved the withdrawal of 20 criminal cases.
- What
- A shutdown, tribute programmes and a symbolic march marked the anniversary of violence during protests that killed four people.
- Where
- Leh, Kargil and other parts of Ladakh, with the march ending at Shaheed Memorial Park in Leh.
- When
- Wednesday, the first anniversary of the September 24, 2025 violence.
- Why
- The observances commemorated those killed and renewed demands for the judicial inquiry report into the violence.
Accountability Advocates
Administrative Response
Release of inquiry report
Accountability Advocates
Sonam Wangchuk and protest-linked groups want the judicial inquiry report submitted and made public, including findings on the circumstances of the firing and whether a firing order was issued.
Administrative Response
The article reports that the Union Territory administration ordered a judicial inquiry, but it does not provide an explanation for why the report has not yet been released.
Response to those booked
Accountability Advocates
Commemorative organisers continue to focus on the deaths and on determining how the violence began and how protesters were fired upon.
Administrative Response
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved withdrawing criminal cases against 20 people booked in connection with the violence.
Key facts
- Anniversary
- The observance marked one year since the September 24, 2025 violence.
- Casualties
- Four people were killed and several were injured.
- Protest demands
- Protesters sought statehood and safeguards under the Constitution's Sixth Schedule.
- Shutdown locations
- Shops and businesses closed in Leh and Kargil, and traffic was thin.
- Case withdrawals
- Criminal cases against 20 people were approved for withdrawal.
- March
- The symbolic padyatra covered about 20 kilometres before reaching Shaheed Memorial Park.
- Inquiry
- A judicial inquiry was ordered, but its report had not been publicly released after one year.
Quotes
Sonam Wangchuk
Climate activist and prominent participant in Ladakh’s statehood and Sixth Schedule protests
“The people offered prayers and paid homage to the martyrs.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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