BJP office in Leh set ablaze by protesters seeking statehood for Ladakh

A group of protesters in Leh demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution set fire to the Bharatiya Janata Party office in the city on Wednesday, ANI reported.

The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution guarantees protection for land and nominal autonomy for citizens in designated tribal-dominated areas. In Ladakh, more than 97% of the population belongs to the Scheduled Tribes.

On Wednesday, the demonstrators clashed with and threw stones at the police, and set fire to a police vehicle. The protesters were holding a hunger strike and had called for a complete shutdown to demand statehood.

At least four persons were killed and 45, including 22 police personnel, were killed in the protest, PTI quoted unidentified officials as saying.

“Three to five young people have been killed because there was police firing,” The Indian Express quoted climate activist, Sonam Wangchuk, who has been leading the protests, telling reporters. “We have reports that many people have been injured. We don’t know the exact count.”

To bring the situation under control, the district administration in Leh banned five or more persons from assembling, ANI reported. The order by the district magistrate said that no processions, rallies or marches can be held without prior written permission.

Following the violence, Wangchuk called off his 15-day hunger strike, NDTV reported.

Wangchuk also said...

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