Ladakhis to conduct 20km march to honour Sept 2025 Indian firing victims
Leh : One year after Indian troops killed four civilians by opening fire on protesters in Ladakh region of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, a 20-kilometre march and tribute ceremonies will be held to honour the slain youth.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) — the joint coalition spearheading the agitation for statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule — have given call for the march in memory of the victims of brutal Indian firing on September 24, 2025, in Leh.
Organisers had originally planned a week-long foot march (Padyatra) between Kargil and Leh. However, citing harsh weather, plummeting nocturnal temperatures and delicate political considerations, the schedule was modified.
Climate activist and LAB member Sonam Wangchuk said the Padyatra was called off due to prevailing weather conditions.“Due to prevailing weather conditions with cold nights, we’re making it into a 20 Km march on 23rd September, followed by ‘martyrs’ day event on 24th.
Inconvenience regretted, look forward to joining you and marching together,” Wangchuk said in a post on X.
On September 24 last year, a long-standing peaceful movement demanding statehood, land rights and constitutional safeguards witnessed unprovoked firing by Indian troops, resulting in the death of four youths and injuries to nearly 90 others.
In the aftermath, prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was detained under the draconian National Security Act (NSA), and the region was plunged into months of political tension.
On September 24, ‘Martyrs’ Day will be observed in Leh and across major towns in Kargil, including interfaith prayers, candlelit vigils, a moment of silence and wreath-laying ceremonies.
Beyond the memorial services, local leaders are framing the day as a rally for justice.
The LAB and KDA have reiterated their demands including an independent judicial probe into the firing on protesters, complete withdrawal of criminal cases registered against local youth arrested during the 2025 uprising, and enhanced restitution ranging from Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore for families of the deceased along with support for the severely injured.
