LEH, Sep 25: A day after violent clashes left four dead and 90 injured during protests in Leh, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta chaired a high level security review meeting on Thursday and called for heightened vigilance to safeguard peace in the Union Territory.
Reiterating his appeal for unity, Gupta said, “Peace and harmony are the foundation of Ladakh’s identity. Together, we must protect this legacy and ensure the safety and security of every citizen.”
The shutdown, called by a constituent of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), was in support of demands for advancing talks with the Centre on statehood for Ladakh and extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
According to a statement from Raj Bhavan, the meeting focused on proactive security measures, close coordination among agencies, and continuous ground monitoring. It was attended by Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal, DGP S D Singh Jamwal, and senior officials from the Army and ITBP.
Gupta stressed strengthening intelligence networks, ensuring community participation in maintaining peace, and enhancing preparedness to deal with any emerging challenges. “Ladakh has always been known for harmony and brotherhood, but certain anti-social elements are attempting to disrupt this. I urge people not to fall prey to such attempts. We must maintain peace at all costs,” he said.
Highlighting Ladakh’s development journey since becoming a Union Territory in 2019, Gupta asserted, “Our focus is on building a prosperous and peaceful Ladakh. No disruptive force will be allowed to derail this progress.”
The LG also reviewed the medical response to Wednesday’s clashes. Of the 90 patients admitted to SNM Hospital in Leh, four succumbed to injuries, seven were critically injured, and 20 sustained major trauma. Fifty patients were discharged the same day, while 18 remain under treatment. One critically injured patient was airlifted to New Delhi for advanced care.
The Leh deputy commissioner, on the LG’s directions, visited the hospital to ensure that patients and their families received full support and assistance.