Leh: The four-day annual Ladakh Festival was called off on its final day, Wednesday, following clashes between police and protesters amid a shutdown in the region.
The shutdown in Leh coincided with demands to expedite talks with the Centre on extending the Sixth Schedule and granting statehood to Ladakh.
Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta had been scheduled to attend the festival’s closing ceremony, which began on Sunday.
“The administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh has announced the cancellation of the final day and closing ceremony of the ongoing Ladakh Festival due to unavoidable circumstances. We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to all stakeholders, including local artists, cultural troupes, tourists, and the people of Ladakh who were eagerly anticipating the event,” the Department of Information and Public Relations said in a statement.
The administration appealed for public cooperation and understanding, expressing gratitude for the strong support and participation in the festival.
The Ladakh Festival has long served as an important platform for young and emerging artists to showcase their talents, hone their skills, and contribute to promoting tourism across the Union Territory, the statement added.
