Restrictions lifted in Leh after 22 days
Leh/Jammu: Authorities on Wednesday lifted the restrictions in Ladakh’s Leh district, 22 days after they were imposed following violent statehood protests that claimed four lives and left over 80 people injured.
The Leh district administration had on September 24 enforced prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), prohibiting the assembly of five or more persons.
Officials said that no incidents of violence were reported during the restriction period.
“I hereby withdraw the restrictions imposed vide this office order dated September 24 with immediate effect,” District Magistrate Leh, Romil Singh Donk, stated in an order issued on Wednesday.
He said the curbs were initially imposed to prevent any breach of peace and disturbance to public tranquillity under the relevant provisions of the BNSS, 2023.
According to the DM, the Senior Superintendent of Police, in a report submitted on Wednesday, confirmed that there was no longer any apprehension of disturbance to public order and recommended the withdrawal of the restrictions.
The restrictions had been imposed following violent clashes between security forces and protesters on September 24, during demonstrations demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh.
Two days later, on September 26, police arrested climate activist Sonam Wangchuk—a prominent figure in the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)—for allegedly inciting the violence. He was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) and shifted to Jodhpur jail.
Wangchuk has been at the forefront of a five-year-long movement seeking statehood and constitutional safeguards for the people of Leh and Kargil.
