Barely two months after taking charge as the third lieutenant governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta is grappling with widespread protests demanding statehood and inclusion of the Union Territory in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The agitation has already left four civilians dead and nearly 100 injured in clashes with paramilitary forces. The arrest of prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act has further intensified the unrest.

Situation after September 24 violence

Gupta admitted that the situation deteriorated on September 24 when protests spiralled out of control. “Some elements provoked the people and did not want a peaceful atmosphere here. It took nearly an hour and a half to control the situation,” he said. A magisterial probe has been ordered into the clashes.

On Tuesday, curfew restrictions were relaxed for four hours as authorities attempted to restore normalcy. Gupta said schools and colleges would reopen soon and appealed for calm. “No one will be allowed to vitiate the atmosphere,” he stressed.

Appeal for dialogue

The Ladakh LG has urged stakeholders to resume talks with the Centre. Two key organisations spearheading the agitation — Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance — have boycotted dialogue until those arrested are released and normalcy is restored.

“Talks within the Constitution are the only way out for amicable resolution of issues,” Gupta said. The Centre has already invited the groups for discussions on October 6, he pointed out.

Arrest of Sonam Wangchuk

When asked about Wangchuk’s arrest, Gupta refrained from commenting directly. “There must have been some truth on the basis of which he was arrested. No individual, irrespective of stature, is above the sovereignty of the nation,” he said.

He added that the Centre was monitoring Wangchuk closely before action was taken.

Key demands: Statehood and Sixth Schedule

Protesters have consistently raised the twin demands of statehood for Ladakh and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule to ensure protection of land, culture, and resources. Gupta maintained that “resolution to any problem is through dialogue” and called on stakeholders to continue talks with the Centre.

Impact on tourism

Despite the unrest, tourism — one of Ladakh’s economic mainstays — has seen robust growth. According to Gupta, 7.6 million tourists visited Ladakh in 2024-25, far exceeding the UT’s population. Over 2,000 homestays are operational with government support.

Highlighting global recognition, he said Suru Valley was ranked among the world’s top 25 tourist destinations by National Geographic Channel, while Ladakh was named the best adventure destination by the ITCTA in 2025.

Development since 2019

Gupta underlined the Centre’s investments in Ladakh since it was carved out as a Union Territory in 2019. “₹34,000 crore has been allocated till date through various schemes. Earlier, when Ladakh was part of Jammu and Kashmir, the total budget was ₹2,200 crore,” he noted.

Currently, Ladakh has a ₹6,400 crore budget. The two hill councils receive ₹300 crore each annually, with exclusive rights over land and revenue records. Gupta also announced five new districts for Ladakh, which will become functional soon.

Job reservations have been a central policy push. “We have reserved 85% of jobs for locals, 10% for STs and 5% for outsiders from 2034. Till then, there is 100% job reservation for Ladakh residents,” Gupta said.

Conclusion

As the UT navigates a turbulent phase, Gupta insists dialogue is the only sustainable solution. With the October 6 meeting approaching, the spotlight will remain on whether protesters and the Centre can find common ground on Ladakh’s political future.