Kargil shutdown, Ladakh people's solidarity seen in the country

A day after violent protests on Wednesday in Ladakh, bordering India, the situation was largely calm on Thursday. Four people were killed in clashes with police during the movement demanding separate statehood for Ladakh and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule. More than 50 people were injured.

Local officials said that no further violence has been reported since Wednesday evening. However, a ban has been imposed on gatherings of more than four people to control the crowd.

Protesters in Kargil town are observing a 'complete shutdown' to pay respect to those killed in police firing and to show solidarity with Ladakh. A large number of police and paramilitary forces have been deployed to control the situation.

Police opened fire after some sections of the protest set fire to and vandalised a local BJP office. A police official in Leh, Ladakh, said, “There has been no report of any violence anywhere in Leh since yesterday evening. Restrictions are still in place and police are keeping a watch on the roads.”

The entire district is under a ‘complete shutdown’ as called for by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). KDA leader Sajad Kargili said, “We are peacefully protesting against the people of Ladakh and the killings in Leh. We want to raise our demands through dialogue while maintaining the security of the people.”

Meanwhile, Hurriyat Chairman and Kashmir’s top religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed grief over the deaths in Leh. He said, “Such reactions have taken place after the decision of August 5, 2019. It is necessary to fulfill the promises made to the people of Ladakh so that such incidents do not happen again.”

People of Kargil town are participating in peaceful programmes after the protests and killings in Ladakh and the administration is on alert in the entire area.