Srinagar: Curfew was relaxed for the first time on Saturday during the last four days in Leh as the situation remained normal notwithstanding the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). Meanwhile, last rites of four persons killed in the September 24 violence are scheduled to be held on September 28 and 29 under tight security arrangements, with participation restricted mainly to their family members.
According to a report by Daily Excelsior, two Congress Councillors who have been accused by the administration of instigating mobs to indulge in violence and arson on September 24 were among seven persons who surrendered before the court this evening after being named in FIRs lodged at the police station. The Councillors, Stanzing Tsepak and Smanla Dorjee Nurbo, along with five other youths, surrendered before the court and were sent to police custody. They maintained they were innocent but said they were surrendering since their names figured in the FIRs.
Funeral of the four civilians killed in police and CRPF firing on September 24 will be held on Sunday and Monday. Leh Apex Body (LAB) co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakruk said, as per an astrologer’s advice, the last rites of two firing victims will be held on Sunday and two on Monday. The administration has decided to allow only family members to attend the funerals in anticipation of possible violence, making it clear that curfew will not be relaxed during the ceremonies.
Curfew, which was imposed in Leh on September 24 immediately after incidents of violence and arson, was relaxed today for the first time in two parts. Restrictions were eased from 1 pm to 3 pm in one part of the town and from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm in another. The relaxation period passed off peacefully with people turning out in large numbers to purchase essentials and queue outside ATMs, while CRPF, ITBP, and Ladakh Police maintained a strong vigil.
Addressing a press conference, Ladakh Director General of Police S D Singh Jamwal said Wangchuk is being probed for alleged links with Pakistan, noting that a Pakistani Intelligence Operative arrested last month had been sending Wangchuk’s protest videos across the border. He described Wangchuk as the “key instigator” behind the September 24 violence that resulted in four deaths, 90 injuries, and the burning of offices, vehicles, and political party headquarters.
Jamwal said Wangchuk’s speeches, referencing the Arab Spring and agitations in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, worked as instigation. He further alleged that foreign funding and FCRA violations are under investigation, and that Nepalese citizens were among those injured during the violence. He stressed that security forces were compelled to open fire to prevent Leh from being “burned to the ground.” So far, 50 people have been arrested in connection with the incident, including several suspected ringleaders, he said.
The DGP defended the security response, insisting the forces acted in self-defence after protesters torched offices and attacked personnel. He lauded the role of police and CRPF, pointing out that four women constables trapped inside a burning building were rescued with great difficulty. He said around 70–80 personnel were injured in the confrontation, with one CRPF jawan still in an Army hospital with a spinal injury.
The Ladakh administration, in a late-night statement, said Wangchuk has been repeatedly indulging in activities prejudicial to the security of the state and detrimental to public order. Despite being aware of a scheduled meeting of the High-Powered Committee (HPC) with Ladakh bodies, Wangchuk deliberately continued his hunger strike, leading to provocative videos and speeches that culminated in the violent protests. The statement alleged that Wangchuk placed “personal and political ambitions” above the larger cause.
Meanwhile, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma called on Ladakh Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta in Leh today to review the situation. The meeting focused on the overall security scenario and emphasised the importance of civil-military coordination in ensuring peace and stability.
The ongoing curfew has also disrupted tourism, with several visitors expressing frustration over the lack of communication. Foreign and domestic tourists confined to hotels described the situation as “a nightmare,” while locals complained about shortage of essentials. The administration has, however, allowed candidates appearing in the Civil Judge (Junior Division) exam on September 28 to use their admit cards as curfew passes to travel to examination centres.
