Ladakh eases curbs after normalcy returns

The Ladakh administration on Wednesday (October 15, 2025) lifted restrictions on the assembly of more than four persons in Leh, 20 days after the region witnessed violence that left four civilians dead. 

An order issued by Romil Singh Donk, District Magistrate, Leh, said, “I hereby withdraw the restrictions imposed under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to prevent any breach of peace and disturbance with immediate effect”.

The order referred to the inputs of the Senior Superintendent of Police, Leh, that underlined that “there is no imminent apprehension of breach of peace and public order”.

The order came in the wake of return of normalcy in Leh in the past two weeks. All educational institutes and markets have re-opened in Leh. Mobile Internet services have also been restored.

Street protests

Four people died and around 90 were injured on September 24 during a protest in Leh. Street protests erupted in Leh town over the demand of Statehood and Sixth Schedule. The agitation was spearheaded by activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was arrested under the National Security Act on September 26. 

Meanwhile, six locals, including Congress councilor Stanzin Tsepag, were granted bail along with six others by a local court. Mr. Tsepag was accused of joining the protesters who turned violent. The Congress termed it “false accusations”. 

In another development, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) has decided to continue with protests in Ladakh. It threatened a two-hour peaceful silent march and an evening blackout across the union territory of Ladakh in coming days. 

The LAB, an amalgam of social, political and religious bodies, said the upcoming protests were intended to highlight the use of force against protesters and press for the demand of judicial probe by a retired Supreme Court judge. The LAB also demanded the release of Mr. Wangchuk.