Leh Curfew Eases for 4 Hours Amid Heavy Security Deployment

Leh, Sep 30: The week long curfew in Leh town will be relaxed for four hours from 10 am on Tuesday, allowing shopkeepers to open groceries, essential services, hardware, and vegetable shops, officials said. Earlier, a two hour relaxation was provided on Monday after the last rites of four people, including a retired Army personnel, who lost their lives in clashes on September 24.

A police official said further extensions of curfew relaxation will depend on developments during the day. Police and paramilitary forces remain deployed in strength across sensitive areas to maintain law and order.

Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has been chairing daily high-level security reviews. He urged citizens to maintain peace, describing it as “the cornerstone of development,” and praised the public for showing restraint. Gupta emphasized dialogue and democratic means to address legitimate grievances, while enhancing intelligence, community engagement, and swift redressal of public concerns.

Officials noted that mobile internet services remain suspended, and prohibitory orders banning assemblies of five or more persons are still in effect in Leh, Kargil, and other parts of the Union Territory. The curfew followed violent protests during a shutdown called by a constituent of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), demanding talks with the Centre on statehood and Sixth Schedule extension. Over 60 people, including two councilors and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, were detained, with Wangchuk lodged in Jodhpur jail under the National Security Act.

The Ladakh BJP called for a thorough investigation, demanded the release of those charged with minor offences, and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased. The party appealed to all citizens to uphold peace and harmony, avoid misinformation, and cooperate with administration efforts for reconciliation and community healing.