Leh,: Authorities on Tuesday announced a four-hour relaxation in the week-long curfew in Leh town, allowing shops to open from 10 am, officials said.
The curfew was briefly eased for two hours on Monday evening, shortly after the last rites of four people — including a retired Army personnel — who were killed during clashes between protesters and security forces on September 24.
A police officer said further relaxation would depend on the situation during the day. Additional District Magistrate Ghulam Mohammed directed grocery, vegetable, hardware and other essential shops to open during the relaxation window.
“Except for the violence reported last Wednesday, the situation has remained peaceful. Police and paramilitary forces remain deployed in strength across sensitive areas to ensure law and order,” the official added.
Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has been holding daily security review meetings. On Monday, he appealed for calm, stressing that peace was “the cornerstone of development.”
“I urge all communities to maintain unity and harmony and not fall prey to anti-social or anti-national elements. The administration stands with the people and is committed to their safety, dignity, and progress,” Gupta said. He praised residents for their restraint in difficult times and assured that legitimate grievances would be addressed through dialogue and democratic means.
The lieutenant governor also directed enhanced intelligence gathering, regular community engagement, and speedy grievance redressal to build trust between the administration and citizens.
Officials said mobile internet services remain suspended in Leh, while prohibitory orders against gatherings of five or more people continue in other parts of Ladakh, including Kargil.
The curfew was imposed on September 24 after violent protests during a shutdown called by a constituent of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) to press for statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule.
More than 60 people, including two councilors, were detained after the clashes. Among them was climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was held under the National Security Act on September 26 and shifted to Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.
Meanwhile, the Ladakh unit of the BJP demanded a thorough probe to fix responsibility for the violence. “We also call for the immediate release of all innocent persons booked for minor offences,” the party said, while extending condolences to the bereaved families.
“Ladakh is known for its beauty and the resilience of its people. We urge everyone to uphold peace and harmony, avoid taking law into their own hands, and not be misled by rumours. Let us work together to ensure peace prevails,” the party statement added, appealing for unity and reconciliation.
