Leh (Ladakh): Life in Leh remains paralysed under heavy restrictions imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) following violent protests on September 24. The unrest, which saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office set ablaze, has been further intensified by the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA). He has since been shifted to Jodhpur Central Jail.
Locals struggle for essentials
Residents of Leh are finding it increasingly difficult to carry out their daily activities, with curfew-like restrictions preventing access to basic supplies. Dolma, an elderly local, expressed her distress at not being able to procure milk for several days.
“This area is Polo Ground. I am buying milk after five days. We haven’t been able to buy anything since the 24th. Adults can manage, but it is especially difficult for babies who depend solely on milk,” she said.
Rajendra Singh, a resident originally from Jammu, echoed the plea for relaxation. “We are getting milk after five days. We are not getting goods. I request that the government provide a one-hour relaxation in the curfew every day, allowing us to purchase food,” he told ANI.
Locals say the restrictions are also hurting daily wage labourers and tourists stranded in the district.
Violence and detention of Sonam Wangchuk
The protests demanding statehood for Ladakh spiralled into violence on September 24, leaving four people dead. The BJP office in Leh was torched, leading to heightened security deployment across the region.
Two days later, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was detained under the NSA for allegedly inciting violence. Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike, has been at the forefront of the demand for Ladakh’s inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Push for Sixth Schedule status
Wangchuk’s advocacy centres on granting Ladakh special protections under the Sixth Schedule, which provides for autonomous district councils with legislative and judicial powers in tribal areas. Currently, the provision applies only to parts of Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, and Meghalaya.
His detention has drawn sharp criticism from activists and opposition voices, who argue that peaceful dissent is being criminalised.
Section 163 restrictions remain in force
Authorities confirmed that restrictions under Section 163 of the BNSS will continue in Leh until further orders. The provision bans gatherings of five or more people and prohibits rallies, marches, or processions without prior written approval.
Security personnel remain deployed across key areas, including Polo Ground, to prevent further escalation.
Outlook
While the administration has stressed the need for order following the violence, locals insist that at least limited relaxations are essential to allow the purchase of food and milk. As Ladakh continues to reel under restrictions, uncertainty looms large over how long normal life will remain disrupted.