Ladakh’s fragile calm hangs on a thread under the shadow of snow-capped hills. Yesterday’s Ladakh violence , which killed four people and hurt more than 60, have spread to Kargil today, where everything is shut down. The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) is calling for unity as shops lock their doors and markets are silent. They want negotiations to start right away over long-standing complaints that have been disregarded. This isn’t just dissatisfaction; it’s a cry from a place that is stuck between breathtaking beauty and rising anger.
From the quiet streets of Leh to Kargil, Ladakh violence
The fire started in Leh on September 24, after a shutdown by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) went wrong. Protesters, who were angry because climate campaigner Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike had finished, fought with security personnel and set fire to a BJP office and cars. During the fight, cops shot at people, leaving a path of sadness. By the end of the day, the government in Leh had put Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita into effect, which forbids groups of five or more from gathering to stop more violence. Kargil, which is about 200 km distant, watched in horror as it shut down today in direct support, turning busy markets into ghost villages.
The Hurt’s Heart: Calls for Respect and Conversation
Four main requests are at the heart of the matter: statehood for Ladakh, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule for tribal protections, job reservations through a special public service commission, and dedicated parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil. People in Ladakh feel left out since it became a Union Territory without a legislature in 2019. This is especially true for young people who can’t find work in their own country. Sajad Kargili, the head of the KDA, asked for “peaceful protest and immediate dialogue” and told the Center to move forward with talks on October 6. Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, the Chief Executive Councillor, said the same thing, asking for peace while pushing for solutions like making Bhoti and Purgi official languages.
It’s like a fight between family members: Years of patient conversations have increased reservations from 45% to 84%, but trust fades without comprehensive protections. For residents, here’s a tip: use community applications to safely record complaints so that voices are heard without the risk of things getting worse.
A Way to Find Peace? Limits and Calls for Peace
Kargil’s District Magistrate Rakesh Kumar did the same thing as Leh did: he enforced Section 163 across the district, which meant that no rallies, processions, or demonstrations were allowed. Heavy security covers towns like Drass and Zanskar, and more than 50 people have been arrested since the disturbance in Leh. The Centre says “provocative statements” are to blame, but groups like LAB and KDA say it was poorly handled negligence.
As night sets on empty streets, the people of Ladakh want bridges, not walls. With elections coming up and discussions on the way, can wisdom win out over anger? The mountains are quiet, waiting for peace to come.