India imposes curfew in Ladakh after statehood protests turn violent

By Admin

26 Sep, 2025

The Himalayan region of Ladakh witnessed its worst unrest in decades as protests demanding statehood spiraled into violence on Wednesday. Following the clashes, Indian security forces imposed a curfew in Leh, the region’s capital, after at least four people were killed and dozens injured in confrontations between demonstrators and police.

What Triggered the Violence?

The unrest erupted amid months of protests led by local activists, who have been demanding restoration of Ladakh’s statehood and greater autonomy, including job and land quotas for locals. Demonstrations intensified after the federal government postponed talks, fueling frustration, especially among Ladakh’s youth struggling with high unemployment.

Violence broke out as protesters set fire to the local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office, torched a police vehicle, and clashed with security forces. According to the Home Ministry, police resorted to firing in “self-defence,” which unfortunately led to casualties.

The Role of Activists

The government has blamed prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk for inciting violence. Authorities allege he made provocative remarks referencing Arab Spring-style protests and Gen-Z movements in Nepal while continuing a hunger strike that began on September 12.

Mr. Wangchuk, however, strongly denied the charges. He called off his hunger strike and appealed for calm, insisting that his movement was peaceful. “Violence only damages our cause,” he said, attributing the unrest to growing frustration among unemployed youth.

The Historical Context

Ladakh, with a population of around 300,000, is a sparsely populated, mountainous desert bordering China and Pakistan. The region has both Buddhist and Muslim communities Leh is largely Buddhist, while Kargil is Muslim-majority.

The region lost its semi-autonomy in 2019, when the BJP government revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and carved Ladakh into a separate federal territory under direct rule from New Delhi. Since then, both Buddhists and Muslims have united in their demand for statehood and stronger constitutional safeguards.

Voices from Ladakh

Local leaders say anger has been building for months.

• Padma Stanzin, one of the hunger strike organizers, emphasized that the movement was always peaceful but admitted that “frustration among young people” pushed matters out of control.
  
  

• Chhering Dorje Lakrook, president of the Ladakh Buddhist Association, said unemployment and repeated delays in dialogue have left youth disillusioned. “They are against violence, but the government’s slow response has fueled resentment,” he added.
  
  

Security Concerns

India already maintains a large troop presence in Ladakh, given its sensitive borders with China and Pakistan. The unrest adds another layer of complexity to a region still reeling from the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, in which 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers lost their lives.

The Road Ahead

The government faces mounting pressure to restore peace and initiate dialogue with Ladakh’s leaders. While officials blame activists for the escalation, local voices stress that continued delays and lack of political engagement are worsening the crisis.

For now, the curfew in Leh reflects both the severity of the unrest and the urgency of addressing Ladakh’s long-standing demands for statehood, autonomy, and economic stability.