Leh: Four killed, dozens injured as protest demanding statehood turns violent

As many as four people lost their lives and dozens were injured in as protests for statehood in Leh turned violent on Wednesday.

Police fired teargas shells and resorted to baton charge after a group of youths allegedly turned violent and pelted stones amid a massive protest and shutdown.

The protest was in to demand advancement of the proposed talks with the Centre on extension of Sixth Schedule as well as statehood to Ladakh. Talks are scheduled between the Centre and Ladakh representatives, comprising members of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on October 6.

LAB youth wing had called for the protest and a shutdown after two of 15 people, who were on a 35-day hunger strike since September 10, were shifted to a hospital after their condition deteriorated on Tuesday evening.

The hunger strike led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was also part of the ongoing agitation in the region.

Further the protestors torched a security vehicle outside the BJP office in Leh, an official said, adding that additional forces have been deployed to restore order.

Prohibitory orders issued
Authorities implemented prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in Leh district of Ladakh. This bans assembly of five or more persons.

Leh District Magistrate Romil Singh Donk issued the order and said, "As notice cannot be served individually, this order is being passed ex parte. Any violation of this order shall invite punitive action under section 223 of BNS."

Under section 163 of the BNSS, he said, no procession, rally or march shall be carried out without the prior written approval of the competent authority.

"No one shall use a vehicle-mounted or other loudspeaker without prior approval from the competent authority. No one shall make any statements which have the potential to disturb public tranquility and which may lead to law and order problems in the district," Donk said.