Leh/New Delhi, Sep 24 (UNI) Four people were reportedly killed and more than 20 injured in violent demonstrations by students in Leh town demanding grant of statehood to the union Territory of Ladakh and inclusion of Ladakh into the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
The number of casualties, however, could not be officially confirmed.
Students clashed with police and resorted to stone pelting. The clashes took an ugly turn as the protestors torched a CRPF vehicle and the local BJP office. Police fired teargas shells and resorted to cane-charge to disperse the protestors.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk who has been on hunger strike since September 10 demanding statehood for the UT and inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule, was supported by Youth wing of the Ladakh Apex Body (LAB). The LAB had given a call for protest and shutdown after the condition of two of the people on hunger strike deteriorated and were admitted to hospital last evening.
Additional forces were deployed to restore law and order.
Talks between the Centre and representatives of LBA and Kargil Democratic Alliance are scheduled to be held on October 6.
The LBA called for a shut down in support of the demands. People came out on the streets and marched through the streets. The protests turned violent after the students resorted to stone pelting.
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution meant for the tribal population of four northeastern states Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram, has special provisions for governance, powers of the President and Governor, type of local bodies, judicial mechanisms and financial powers to be exercised through autonomous councils.
In a related development, the closing ceremony of the four-day annual Ladakh festival was cancelled after the clashes. Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta was scheduled to attend the closing ceremony.
“The administration of the union Territory of Ladakh has announced cancellation of the last day and closing ceremony of the ongoing Ladakh Festival due to unavoidable circumstances. The administration deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to all stakeholders, including local artists, cultural troupes, tourists, and the people of Ladakh who were eagerly looking forward to the event,” the Department of Information and Public Relations said in a statement.
The Ladakh festival has served as a platform for young and budding artists from the region to showcase their talent and develop their skills. It is aimed at promoting tourism in the union Territory, the statement said.
