Leh, Sept 25: At least 50 people were detained as police and paramilitary forces strictly implemented curfew on Thursday in the violence-hit Leh, where four people were killed and over 89 others were injured when widespread clashes broke out a day before.
A shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) — to advance talks with the Centre on demand for statehood and extension of Sixth Schedule to Ladakh — had descended into violence, arson and street clashes on Wednesday.
Strict prohibitory restrictions banning assembly of five or more persons have been placed in other major towns as well, including Kargil where a shutdown was called by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) in support of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was leading a hunger strike.
Wangchuk’s fortnight-long hunger strike was called off after intense clashes broke out in Leh town. The protesters had set ablaze the BJP office and several vehicles, besides vandalising the Hill Council headquarters, prompting promulgation of an indefinite curfew in the town.
“The situation in the curfew-bound areas is well under control. There are no untoward incidents reported from anywhere,” a police official said.
He said around 50 people were detained overnight for their involvement in the violence.
The official said three among the injured were citizens of Nepal and police are probing if there are foreign hands behind the violence.
The LAB and KDA have been spearheading an agitation in the last four years pressing for their demands on statehood and extension of Sixth Schedule. They have held several rounds of talks with the Central government in the past. The next round of talks is scheduled on October 6.
Officials said heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel in riot gear was made in Kargil, Zanskar, Nubra, Padam, Changtang, Drass and Lamayuru.
Kargil District Magistrate Rakesh Kumar issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in the entire district, banning assembly of five or more persons, taking out processions or holding demonstrations without prior written permission of the competent authority.
Restrictions were also imposed on the use of loudspeakers, sound amplifying devices, or vehicle-mounted public address systems without authorisation. Besides, no person shall make any public statement, speech, or declaration — whether verbal, written, or through electronic means — which is likely to disturb public peace, provoke enmity, or cause a breach of law and order in the district, the official order said.