Prohibitions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, continue to be enforced in Leh following the September 24 violence linked to demands for Ladakh’s statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Under the restrictions, gatherings of five or more people are banned, and no processions, rallies, or marches can be held without prior written approval. Security personnel remain deployed across the district amid ongoing unrest.
The measures follow a demonstration that turned violent, targeting the BJP office in Leh. On Thursday, Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta chaired a high-level security review meeting with Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal, DGP SD Singh Jamwal, and senior officers from the Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The Lt Governor stressed the need for heightened vigilance, seamless inter-agency coordination, and proactive steps to maintain peace and public order.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been leading the protests with a hunger strike, is at the center of the political tensions. BJP leader Amit Malviya alleged that Congress councillor Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag “instigated” protesters to attack the BJP office.
Wangchuk denied Congress involvement, telling ANI: “This movement has nothing to do with Congress. They were removed from our Apex body to remain apolitical. The person shown in the image was misrepresented as a Congress councillor, while in reality it was someone else. Police are harassing him and his family.”
The situation in Leh remains tense as authorities continue to enforce prohibitions and maintain security.