Curfew Imposed in Ladakh as Statehood Protests Escalate into Violence

Published: 25 September 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

Authorities in India have imposed a curfew in Leh, the capital of the Himalayan region of Ladakh, following violent clashes between security forces and protesters demanding statehood for the federal territory. The unrest, which erupted on Wednesday, resulted in at least four deaths and left dozens injured. In addition to casualties, the local office of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was set ablaze, escalating tensions in a region already sensitive to political and cultural disputes.

The government has attributed the violence to activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been at the forefront of the statehood movement, accusing him of inciting unrest. Wangchuk, however, denied these allegations and called for calm, emphasizing that the ongoing protests are meant to be peaceful. He had recently undertaken a hunger strike, which he called off following the outbreak of violence, appealing to young people in the region to avoid actions that could harm the movement’s objectives.

Ladakh, a mountainous desert region with a population of around 300,000, is home to a diverse population of Muslim and Buddhist communities. The territory lost its semi-autonomous status in 2019 when the federal government, led by the BJP, reorganized it as a separate Union Territory, removing it from the erstwhile Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir. While the Buddhist-majority Leh region has long advocated for greater autonomy, the Muslim-majority Kargil district had historically sought integration with Jammu and Kashmir. Since 2019, both communities have united in their demand for full statehood and enhanced local control over jobs, land, and governance.

The precise trigger for Wednesday’s violence remains unclear. Protests have been ongoing intermittently across the region for several months, with the movement for statehood gaining momentum. Security forces reported that demonstrators attacked the BJP’s local office, setting fire to the building and torching a police vehicle. Police responded with bullets and tear gas, resulting in injuries to dozens of protesters, four of whom later died. Authorities confirmed that at least thirty police personnel were also injured in the clashes.

The federal home ministry described the unrest as being instigated by provocative statements from Wangchuk, drawing comparisons to the Arab Spring and youth-led movements in neighboring Nepal. Officials framed the violence as part of a broader attempt to disrupt peace in the territory, stating that protesters had acted in ways that necessitated defensive police action.

Activists and local leaders, however, argue that frustration among Ladakh’s youth, many of whom face unemployment and limited economic opportunities, fueled the unrest. Padma Stanzin, one of the organisers of the hunger strike, told international media that protesters did not anticipate the situation escalating to fatal violence, asserting that the movement has historically remained peaceful. Chhering Dorje Lakrook, head of the influential Ladakh Buddhist Association, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the youth are deeply frustrated by repeated delays in dialogue with the federal government.

India maintains a significant military presence in Ladakh, which borders both China and Pakistan. The region has been a flashpoint in recent years, notably in 2020 when clashes in the Galwan Valley led to the deaths of at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers. The strategic and contested nature of Ladakh has amplified concerns about internal unrest and the impact of any escalation on national security.

Sonam Wangchuk, a well-known engineer and activist recognized for his contributions to education and climate change, has led the campaign for restoring statehood, arguing that promises of greater local political power made in 2019 have not been fulfilled. Many residents fear that losing Ladakh’s previous special status has exposed the region to external economic influence and diminished local control over cultural and natural resources.

The federal government, however, maintains that it has engaged in extensive dialogue with local leaders since 2023 and that these talks have produced “phenomenal results.” Officials contended that while some progress has been made, certain politically motivated individuals were dissatisfied with the pace of reforms. Ladakh’s federally appointed Lieutenant Governor, Kavinder Gupta, announced that a formal investigation into Wednesday’s violence has been initiated, characterizing the events as attempts to incite unrest and likening them to protests in neighboring countries, which he suggested could indicate a broader conspiracy.

Authorities have scheduled further rounds of discussions between regional leaders and federal officials for Thursday and Friday, with a committee set to convene on 6 October to continue dialogue aimed at resolving the statehood issue. Meanwhile, security measures remain in place to prevent further escalation, including the curfew in Leh, which authorities hope will restore order while negotiations continue.

As Ladakh navigates these tensions, the unfolding events underscore the complex intersection of regional identity, political autonomy, and national security in a region long marked by strategic importance and cultural diversity. The outcome of these talks and the government’s response to the protests will likely shape the future of governance, youth engagement, and community relations in the Himalayan territory.