Leh Curfew After Protests: 50 Detained

Leh, the capital of Ladakh, was placed under a strict curfew on Wednesday after sudden protests turned tense and police detained at least 50 people. The Centre has alleged that well-known environmentalist and activist Sonam Wangchuk incited the agitation, though he has not yet issued any public statement regarding the charges.

The protests started as a peaceful gathering, with locals demanding long-pending safeguards for Ladakh. Since 2019, when the region was made a Union Territory after being separated from Jammu and Kashmir, citizens have repeatedly asked for stronger rights over land, jobs, and cultural protection. Many have also been pressing for Sixth Schedule safeguards and statehood to ensure that Ladakh’s ecological and social fabric is preserved. As hours passed, the demonstrations grew larger, and according to security forces, certain sections of the crowd turned unruly, prompting police action. This led to detentions, restrictions on movement, and internet suspension across central parts of the town.

While the Centre has directly accused Wangchuk of stirring the protests, many residents recall his past movements that relied on non-violence, such as hunger strikes and awareness campaigns about climate change. Wangchuk has earned respect across India as a voice for sustainable development in the fragile Himalayan region, and locals find the charges against him surprising. Even so, the situation has left Leh tense and unsettled, with heavily patrolled streets, shuttered shops, and anxious families waiting for normalcy.

The heart of the issue lies not just in law and order, but in long-standing social and political grievances. Many young people in Ladakh fear losing their land and livelihoods to outsiders if constitutional safeguards are not introduced. Others are concerned that decisions about development are often made in Delhi with little involvement from local representatives. Environmentalists argue that fragile glaciers, rivers, and ecosystems are at risk without stricter protections, and that unchecked growth or large projects could damage Ladakh irreversibly.

At the same time, the government insists that it cannot allow chaos or violence, especially in a sensitive border region where stability is crucial. This explains the immediate clampdown, although critics warn that simply blaming an individual or silencing protests will not solve the underlying issues. Instead, they suggest that dialogue and inclusion are key, because the people of Ladakh want to be partners in shaping their own future, not mere bystanders.

For ordinary residents, however, the immediate concern is daily life under curfew. Tourism has slowed suddenly, movement is limited, and uncertainty looms. Families of those detained are waiting outside police stations for updates, while community leaders are calling for calm. Peace remains the priority, but many believe this episode is yet another reminder that Ladakh’s demands for safeguards cannot be brushed aside indefinitely.

The coming days will be crucial. Authorities will have to decide whether to extend or lift restrictions depending on the mood on the ground. Wangchuk, too, may be forced to make a public statement clarifying his role and responding to the government’s charges. For now, Leh stands at a crossroads: caught between the immediate need for order and the long-term need for justice, recognition, and environmental survival. The silent mountains may tower peacefully, but the voices of the people are growing louder—and they want to be heard.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies