Protesters attack BJP office in Leh, police fire teargas shells
Clashes erupt in Leh amid shutdown to press for rights
Leh: Tension gripped the Leh area of Ladakh region after a protest over the demand for extension of the Sixth Schedule and statehood to Ladakh turned violent, leading to clashes between demonstrators and Indian occupation forces.
According to Kashmir Media Service, police fired teargas shells and resorted to baton charge after groups of youths pelted stones during a massive shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) youth wing. The protesters also torched a police vehicle outside the BJP office and attempted to set the building on fire, officials said.
The agitation was called after two of the 15 people observing a 35-day hunger strike since September 10 were shifted to hospital on Tuesday evening following deterioration in their health. The strike, led by noted climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, forms part of the larger agitation for Ladakh’s constitutional and political safeguards.
The shutdown and protests were aimed at pressing New Delhi to fulfill the long-pending demands of the Ladakhi people ahead of the scheduled talks with representatives of the LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on October 6.
The shutdown and protest were aimed at pressing New Delhi to fulfill the demands of people of Ladakh in the upcoming scheduled round of talks with Ladakh representatives, including members of LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), slated for October 6.
Officials said additional forces were deployed in Leh to restore order and prevent escalation, even as protests continued across the town in support of the long-pending demands.
