Curfew continued in Leh town on Thursday after violent clashes left four protesters dead and 40 others injured. Security forces opened fire after mobs torched vehicles and damaged government offices, including the BJP office and Leh Hill Council office.
Congress councillor Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag has been booked for allegedly giving a provocative speech at the hunger strike venue. The Ministry of Home Affairs blamed the hunger strikers, including activist Sonam Wangchuk, for inciting the violence.
The Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance have been demanding statehood, extension of the Sixth Schedule, separate Lok Sabha seats, and employment reservations. Tension had been building since Tuesday, with Thupstan Chhewang returning to lead the joint delegation for negotiations.
The four-day annual Ladakh festival was cancelled on Thursday after the violence. Authorities imposed strict restrictions, and police said the situation is currently peaceful. BJP leaders accused Congress councillors of instigating the attack and organizing mobs to target the BJP office in Leh.
