Kargil body demands impartial probe into Leh killings, honours slain protests as “heroes of Ladakh”
Kargil: The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), a coalition of socio-political and religious groups from Kargil, has demanded an impartial investigation into the killings of unarmed protesters by Indian forces in Leh town on Wednesday and called on the New Delhi-imposed Ladakh administration to end the witch-hunting and harassment of locals.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the KDA also stood firmly behind climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who the Indian government has accused of making “provocative statements” that allegedly sparked the protests, and expressed deep sympathies for the families of the four slain protesters, honoring them as “heroes of Ladakh.”
Addressing reporters in Kargil, KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai condemned the administration’s use of excessive force on peaceful protesters. “Instead of managing the situation responsibly, the administration resorted to brutal repression. We demand a thorough probe into the violence and legal action against those who ordered the firing,” he said.
Karbalai rejected Indian government attempts to shift blame onto Wangchuk and others. “This is a clear failure of the administration and the Ministry of Home Affairs. We categorically reject these baseless accusations against Wangchuk and others,” he asserted.
The KDA, along with the Leh Apex Body, has been leading a peaceful agitation for over four years, pressing demands that include statehood for Ladakh, extension of Sixth Schedule protections, establishment of a public service commission, and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil.
Flanked by senior leaders including Ladakh MP Hanifa Jan and prominent activist Sajjad Kargili, Karbalai described the Indian government’s handling of the situation as “rubbing salt into our wounds.” He held both the Ladakh administration and the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs responsible for the unrest, saying, “We have been protesting peacefully for more than five years, undertaking hunger strikes, demonstrations, and long marches, yet the government’s failure to deliver jobs and meaningful dialogue has pushed our youth to the edge.”
MP Hanifa Jan echoed these sentiments, stating, “The people of Ladakh feel ignored as the government fails to convene the next round of talks. Harassment of youth must stop, a free and fair investigation conducted, and dialogue resumed in earnest to address pending demands.”
Sajjad Kargili said that the Indian government’s failed policies were responsible for the crisis. “Unemployment and broken promises have fueled frustration among the people. The BJP has repeatedly failed to honor its commitments,” he said. Kargili also dismissed the narrative blaming Wangchuk and others as “baseless and unacceptable.”
KDA leaders criticized New Delhi for continuing to target those associated with the Leh Apex Body, conducting mass detentions and harassment of youth. They urged Delhi to immediately cease these actions and sincerely restart dialogue with the people of Ladakh.
Expressing solidarity with the families of the four protesters killed, Karbalai declared, “They are our heroes, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
