Residents in Leh, Ladakh, are breathing a sigh of relief today as the curfew lifts, letting people flood the streets with cars and foot traffic. Shops swung open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., marking a welcome break after a tense week of closures.
One local told , “The markets were shut down for a full week,” highlighting the frustration many felt during the standoff. The unrest stemmed from protests demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Things escalated into clashes with police in Leh, disrupting daily life in the scenic Himalayan region.
Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor, Kavinder Gupta, remains optimistic. He assured residents that the central government is committed to addressing Ladakh’s aspirations and expects a swift resolution. “Protesters are now talking with the administration,” Gupta said in an interview with . “We’re ready for discussions at the table once the atmosphere calms. I’ve been here for two months and haven’t skipped any meetings—people hear me out and work toward fixes.”
Gupta highlighted ongoing efforts to boost jobs and economic opportunities in Ladakh. “We’re advertising around 1,000 positions right now,” he noted. “Plus, we’re drawing people into tourism, education, and health sectors. With 18,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), more than 50,000 locals are already involved.”
On Wednesday, Gupta led a high-level meeting to review law and order in the union territory. Key attendees included Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal, Director General of Police SD Singh Jamwal, and other top officials like Deputy Commissioner Leh and Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kumar. They updated him on the security situation and steps to ensure peace in Ladakh.
The trouble traces back to September 24, when violence erupted during protests. Four people died in the clashes after demonstrators set a political party office ablaze, prompting police action. As Ladakh pushes for more autonomy and development, these talks could pave the way for stability in the region.
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