LEH: India has been in turmoil in remote high-altitude desert areas of Ladakh as four people were killed in violent protests demanding greater political autonomy for Himalayan territory.
New Delhi’s direct rule over the territory was growing, fears of losing livelihoods boiled on Wednesday as crowds burned police cars and the office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu-Hindu-nationalist Baratiya Janata on the streets of the main city.
At first the police said five People have but later modified four.
The sparsely populated area, with about 300,000 people, borders China and Pakistan, is a strategic enclave for India. About half of the residents of Ladakh are Muslims, and about 40% are Buddhists.
Why do people protest?
The government model separated from India’s affirmative Kashmir in 2019, exerting direct domination on both after the abolition of partial autonomy in the region. Since then, Ladakh’s resentment against Delhi’s rule has been growing, fearing the loss of traditional livelihoods, land rights and cultural identity.
Residents say the end of semi-autonomousness has allowed them to protect the country, work and resources.
The decision on development was made in Delhi and implemented by officials sent from outside, limiting the local elected council.
“All the protection we have in the hero Jamu and Kashmir has disappeared,” said lawyer Mustafa Haji.
Who is leading the demonstration?
Apex Body Leh, led by experienced leader Chering Dorjay, has become the main voice of the protests.
“We are enslaved,” said Dorje, 77, who vowed to continue to fight in the days to come.
Wednesday’s demonstrations also united with famous activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been in the hunger for two weeks.
New Delhi blames unrest on Wan Juek’s ‘provocative speech’ Detained Friday at the police station.
What are the core requirements?
The protests demand protection of land rights and prevent outsiders from purchasing property in Ladakh.
They also hope that constitutional autonomy will be governed under the “Sixth Arrangement” of the Indian Constitution, which will allow local legislatures to formulate laws on land use and work.
Dorje said the constitutional protection in Ladakhs seems to be far away, but continued negotiations with New Delhi have achieved some “small victories”. The government has retained 85% of the jobs for locals and has frozen the dwelling status of Indians from outside Ladakh until 2036. But Dorje said, “There is still a long way to go.”
Why is land a sensitive issue?
The government announced large-scale solar projects and industrial plans in Ladakh, which require thousands of countries. Locals are concerned that this will endanger grazing that is crucial for Pashmina goat grazing, which has been under pressure from climate change and military buffers established with China.
“Now, over the centuries, the danger of destroying the lives of thousands of Pashmina goat shepherds is another problem,” Dorjay said.
Ladakh was greatly militarized, with Indian troops defending disputed borders with Pakistan and China. Tensions surge after fatality conflict Chinese troops and new buffer zones in 2020 further reduce the land available to shepherds.
“It is not a happy situation in which you have no protection for your country,” said lawyer Haji.
How does Ladakhis view India’s relations?
Unlike hero Kashmir’s in-depth actions against Indian rules, Ladakhis has historically been aligned with India, supporting its troops in past conflicts with Pakistan and China. But many people now say they feel betrayed.
“We have helped protect India’s borders for 70 years,” Haji said. “Now we are protected.”
Posted in Dawn on September 29, 2025
