Curfew Eased in Leh, Residents Get 7-Hour Relaxation

Leh, Sept 30: Authorities relaxed curfew in violence hit Leh town of Ladakh for seven hours from 10 AM on Tuesday, offering much-needed respite to residents after a week of restrictions, officials said.

Markets began to reopen gradually, with groceries, vegetable shops, hardware stores, and essential services permitted to operate during the relaxation period. The curfew, initially lifted from 10 AM to 2 PM, was later extended depending on the improving situation.

Officials said police and paramilitary forces remained heavily deployed across sensitive areas to maintain law and order. “Barring the violence last Wednesday, no fresh untoward incident has been reported,” a police official confirmed.

Mobile internet services continue to be suspended in Leh town, while prohibitory orders under Section 144 remain in force across major areas of Ladakh, including Kargil.

The restrictions follow violent clashes on September 24 during protests called by a constituent of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule. Four people, including a retired Army personnel, lost their lives in the violence.

Over 60 people were arrested, including climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) on September 26 and later shifted to Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.

Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has been holding daily security reviews, urging citizens to maintain peace and unity. “Peace is the cornerstone of development. The administration will address legitimate concerns through dialogue and democratic means,” Gupta said.

The Ladakh BJP also demanded a thorough probe into the violence while calling for the release of those arrested for “minor offences.”

As calm slowly returns, officials said further curfew relaxation in Leh will depend on the ground situation and cooperation from citizens.