In Ladakh's Leh district, all restrictions were lifted on Wednesday, which were imposed 22 days ago following violent protests demanding statehood and the Sixth Schedule. This unrest led to the death of four people and injuries to more than 80 individuals.
Indeed, on September 24, the Leh district administration, under Section 163 of the Indian National Security Code (BNSS), had prohibited gatherings of five or more people. According to officials, there were no incidents of violence during this restriction period.
District Magistrate Romil Singh Donk announced the immediate lifting of all restrictions, citing that these measures were essential for maintaining peace and public order.
The Senior Superintendent of Police's report also recommended lifting the restrictions, stating that there is no immediate threat to peace or public order now. The DM's order declared, “I hereby withdraw all restrictions imposed under the order issued on September 24 with immediate effect.”
Six leaders granted bail
Meanwhile, six leaders were granted bail. These include Congress Councillor Stanzen Phuntsog Tsopak from Upper Leh, Kunjes Dolma (Head of Ladakh Buddhist Association Women Wing), Irfan Bari (Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam), and Padma Stanzen, Jigmet Paljor, and Stanzen Chopsel of the Leh Apex Body (LAB). They were arrested following last month's violence.
The police had detained more than 70 youths, half of whom received bail last week. The Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have expressed demands to release all detainees, conduct a judicial inquiry into the violence, and provide adequate compensation for the families of those deceased and seriously injured, setting these as conditions to resume talks with the Center.
