Indian security forces have imposed a curfew in Leh, the capital of the Himalayan region of Ladakh, after at least four people were killed in violent clashes between police and protesters demanding statehood for the federal territory.
Dozens were also injured, and an office of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was set on fire in the unrest on Wednesday.
The government blamed activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been leading protests, for fomenting violence, a claim he denies.
Ladakh, a mountainous desert with a mixed Muslim-Buddhist population, lost its semi-autonomy in 2019 when the BJP government split it from the former Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir, imposing direct rule.
The Leh region, where the violence broke out, is sandwiched between India, China, and Pakistan and has long been advocating for a separate region for its predominantly Buddhist population. Meanwhile, the Muslim-majority Kargil district wishes to integrate with Indian-administered Kashmir.
Both communities in Ladakh have joined together since 2019, demanding the restoration of statehood and greater autonomy. The recent violence erupted amidst ongoing protests that have taken place intermittently in the region.
In a statement, India's federal home ministry accused Wangchuk of inciting unrest through provocative statements and claims related to other global protests. They reported that police defended themselves against attacks that resulted in casualties.
Wangchuk, who earlier undertook a hunger strike, has since called for calm, emphasizing that violence only damages their cause. He attributes the unrest to rising frustration and unemployment among the youth.
Local leaders have expressed fears that the loss of special status has jeopardized the region’s cultural control and resources. The federal government denies these allegations and cites ongoing discussions with local leaders as evidence of progress.
The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh has initiated an investigation into the violence, stating that attempts to incite the population were detected. Further meetings between protesters and officials are scheduled, aiming to address the region's demands.
Dozens were also injured, and an office of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was set on fire in the unrest on Wednesday.
The government blamed activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been leading protests, for fomenting violence, a claim he denies.
Ladakh, a mountainous desert with a mixed Muslim-Buddhist population, lost its semi-autonomy in 2019 when the BJP government split it from the former Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir, imposing direct rule.
The Leh region, where the violence broke out, is sandwiched between India, China, and Pakistan and has long been advocating for a separate region for its predominantly Buddhist population. Meanwhile, the Muslim-majority Kargil district wishes to integrate with Indian-administered Kashmir.
Both communities in Ladakh have joined together since 2019, demanding the restoration of statehood and greater autonomy. The recent violence erupted amidst ongoing protests that have taken place intermittently in the region.
In a statement, India's federal home ministry accused Wangchuk of inciting unrest through provocative statements and claims related to other global protests. They reported that police defended themselves against attacks that resulted in casualties.
Wangchuk, who earlier undertook a hunger strike, has since called for calm, emphasizing that violence only damages their cause. He attributes the unrest to rising frustration and unemployment among the youth.
Local leaders have expressed fears that the loss of special status has jeopardized the region’s cultural control and resources. The federal government denies these allegations and cites ongoing discussions with local leaders as evidence of progress.
The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh has initiated an investigation into the violence, stating that attempts to incite the population were detected. Further meetings between protesters and officials are scheduled, aiming to address the region's demands.
