Ladakh on Edge: Arrests and Curbs Expose Cracks in “Restored Normalcy” Narrative

In the shadow of the Himalayas, Ladakh's serene landscapes belie a simmering tension as the Union Territory's administration insists on restored normalcy, while local leaders brand it a mere facade propped up by intimidation. The Leh Apex Body (LAB), a key civil society group spearheading a multi-year agitation, held a fiery press conference today, accusing authorities of perpetuating "mass arrests" and targeting cultural figures like village heads, or numberdars, who relayed information about the recent hunger strike.

This comes nearly two weeks after violent clashes on September 24 that claimed four lives—including a Kargil War veteran—and injured over 80, sparking a curfew, internet shutdown, and widespread shutdowns called by LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). The unrest, rooted in unfulfilled promises post-2019 when Ladakh was carved out as a Union Territory from Jammu and Kashmir, centers on demands for full statehood, inclusion under the Constitution's Sixth Schedule for tribal protections, separate parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil, and job reservations to safeguard land, culture, and ecology against external exploitation.

Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta, chairing his daily security review meeting, projected an image of calm in a statement on X, noting that schools up to Class 8 have reopened since October 3, offices and markets are functioning, and the curfew—initially imposed district-wide—has been progressively lifted. Yet, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita still ban gatherings of five or more people, mobile internet remains suspended across the region, and higher education institutions stay shuttered, crippling communication and daily life for Ladakh's roughly 300,000 residents—equally split between Buddhists in Leh and Muslims in Kargil.

Gupta urged officials to prioritize vigilance, peace, and development, echoing Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal's Saturday remarks blaming "vested interests" for the violence while committing to imminent dialogue. Kotwal revealed that 30 of the 70 youths detained post-clashes have been released, with the remainder in judicial custody pending court orders, emphasizing no "misguided innocent" would face hardship. However, LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay countered sharply, insisting "nothing is normal" and that detaining community leaders like renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk—held under the National Security Act (NSA) since September 26 in Jodhpur jail—only erodes trust, not restores it.

Dorjay's allegations painted a picture of systemic harassment, claiming numberdars—traditional village heads integral to Ladakhi culture—are being interrogated for merely disseminating details of the 35-day hunger strike from September 10 to 24, led by Wangchuk and 14 others to press for "result-oriented" talks. "Normalcy cannot return through intimidation.. This is an attack on our culture," he declared, flanked by LAB members who reaffirmed their non-violent struggle despite the government's accusations of provocation.

Wangchuk, a Ramon Magsaysay Award winner and founder of the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives for Learning (HIAL), faces charges of inciting violence through "provocative speeches" referencing Arab Spring and Tibetan protests, alongside probes into alleged financial irregularities and foreign funding links at his institute—claims his wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, has challenged via a Supreme Court habeas corpus petition, scheduled for hearing today, arguing the NSA invocation invades personal liberty without due process. The LAB and KDA's boycott of today's scheduled Centre meeting underscores their preconditions: a judicial probe into the deaths, blamed on CRPF firing, and unconditional release of all detainees, including Wangchuk, to foster genuine reconciliation.

Also Read: SC Seeks Explanation from Govt Over Wangchuk’s Arrest

As the administration touts recruitment for 1,800 local jobs and ongoing High-Powered Committee talks since 2021, the standoff risks alienating Ladakh's youth amid economic woes like stranded tourists and shuttered markets. With X posts reflecting polarized views—some decrying Congress orchestration of the violence, others hailing it as a "Gen-Z revolution" for autonomy—the impasse highlights broader governance challenges in India's border regions. Dorjay urged immediate restoration of internet, lifting of curbs, and detainee releases as "imperative" for true normalcy, warning that without addressing core aspirations, the fragile peace could shatter anew, threatening national security along the China-Pakistan frontiers.

Also Read: Sonam Wangchuk Vows Non-Violent Struggle for Ladakh’s Rights from Jail