Leh, Sept 30: Authorities on Tuesday announced a four-hour relaxation in the week-long curfew in Leh town, directing shopkeepers to open their establishments from 10 am. Officials said the move follows a two-hour relaxation on Monday evening after the last rites of four people killed in the September 24 clashes.
A police official stated that further relaxation will depend on the evolving situation. Additional District Magistrate Ghulam Mohammed ordered grocery, vegetable, hardware, and essential service shops to open during the eased hours.
Security forces continue to maintain a strict vigil, with police and paramilitary troops deployed in sensitive areas. “Barring the violence last Wednesday, no untoward incident has been reported,” an official said.
Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has been holding daily high-level review meetings, urging citizens to maintain unity and harmony. He assured that legitimate grievances will be addressed through dialogue and directed enhanced intelligence gathering, community engagement, and faster grievance redressal.
Mobile internet remains suspended in Leh, while prohibitory orders restricting gatherings of more than five persons continue in other parts of Ladakh, including Kargil.
The curfew was imposed on September 24 after violent protests called by a constituent of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), which is pressing for statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. Over 60 people, including two councilors and activist Sonam Wangchuk—detained under the National Security Act and shifted to Jodhpur jail—were taken into custody.
Meanwhile, the Ladakh BJP called for a thorough probe into the incident to ensure accountability, while demanding release of innocent persons booked for minor offences. Expressing condolences to the bereaved families, the party appealed for peace, cautioning people against misinformation and urging cooperation for reconciliation.
(Agencies)
