BJP Office Set On Fire: Violent Clash In Ladakh Over Statehood Demand
Leh, Ladakh: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office was set on fire by protesters in Ladakh’s Leh. At least four young people have been killed because there was police firing, according to activist, Sonam Wangchuk who who has been leading protests for statehood and the Sixth Schedule.
Protesters are demanding that Ladakh be granted statehood and be included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, guaranting protections for land and a nominal autonomy for citizens in designated tribal-dominated areas.
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Protests turned violent on Wednesday, September 24, as demonstrators set a BJP office on fire while police fired teargas shells to disperse them.
Over 50 people have been injured in the clash, and the authorities have imposed a curfew in the area. Ladakh LG Kavinder Gupta said that a curfew has been imposed in violence-hit Leh district to prevent more loss of lives, reported news agency PTI.
protestors torched a CRPF vehicle and attacked the DG’s car with stones. According to Kavinder, attempts were made to incite people, and the protest held here was compared to those held in Bangladesh and Nepal, smelling of a conspiracy behind the demonstration.
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“while everyone has a right to protest in a democratic system, it must be done in a peaceful manner,” the LG added.
However, activist Wangchuk has called for restraint, saying the violence is not the right way. He said they have called off the hunger strike that had entered 15th day.
