LEH, Sept 27: Authorities on Saturday relaxed the curfew in Leh town for the first time since violent protests rocked the region earlier this week, offering a four-hour window for residents to access essential supplies. The partial relaxation, amid heightened security and intensified patrolling, came a day after prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) and shifted to Jodhpur jail.
Ladakh’s Director General of Police (DGP) S.D. Singh Jamwal described Wangchuk as a “key figure” behind the September 24 violence and revealed that investigators are probing his alleged links with a Pakistani Person of Indian Origin (PIO). Jamwal claimed that the PIO, already in custody, had shared videos of protests led by Wangchuk across the border. He also referred to Wangchuk’s participation in a media event in Pakistan and a visit to Bangladesh as part of the ongoing probe. “There is also a foreign funding and FCRA violation angle being investigated,” he said, adding that Wangchuk “had his own agenda” and allegedly sought to derail talks scheduled with the Centre on October 6.
The curfew relaxation was carried out in two phases from 1 PM to 3 PM in the old city and from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM in new areas. Police announced the easing of restrictions through public address systems, prompting residents to queue outside grocery shops and ATMs. The relaxation period remained peaceful with no fresh incidents reported. Security has been stepped up in sensitive areas, with police and CRPF conducting raids to arrest those involved in Wednesday’s violence. Fifty people have been detained so far, including several alleged “ringleaders.”
The violence erupted during a bandh called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) to press for statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Four people were killed, over 90 injured, and several public properties were damaged as protesters clashed with security forces. Jamwal said that security personnel opened fire “only in self-defence” to prevent Leh town from being “engulfed in flames.” Around 70 to 80 police and CRPF personnel were also injured in the confrontation. “The forces showed remarkable restraint and acted with great professionalism to bring the situation under control within hours,” the DGP added.
The administration defended Wangchuk’s detention, citing a series of “provocative speeches” referencing the Nepal agitation and the Arab Spring, which they said contributed to the escalation. A DIPR statement noted that despite the government’s communication regarding a High-Powered Committee meeting and offers for prior dialogue, Wangchuk continued his hunger strike from September 10 with an “ulterior motive.” The administration said his detention was necessary “to restore normalcy and prevent further acts prejudicial to public order.”
Meanwhile, opposition parties criticised the government’s handling of the situation. The Ladakh Congress said Wangchuk had become the most visible and respected face of the movement and that “vilification campaigns or trumped-up charges” would not erode public support for him. It warned that his arrest would not help restore peace. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray also questioned the government’s stance, while the CPI(M) Politburo called the use of NSA against Wangchuk “draconian” and demanded his release.
Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta chaired a high-level security review meeting at Raj Bhavan, where officials discussed measures to maintain law and order. Authorities confirmed that no fresh incidents were reported in the last 24 hours, though restrictions on gatherings remained in place across Ladakh, including Kargil. Investigations have also revealed the involvement of foreign nationals, with at least three Nepali citizens among those injured during the protests.