Ladakh: Prohibitory orders relaxed in Leh

The prohibitory orders imposed in Leh following the violence on September 24 were relaxed for four hours starting 10 am on Tuesday, PTI reported.

The additional district magistrate ordered grocery stores, hardware shops and essential services to be open during this period.

The restrictions had been imposed after four persons were killed in police firing during protests on September 24 demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

Demonstrators clashed with and threw stones at the police, and set fire to the Bharatiya Janata Party office and a police vehicle.

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.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested in Leh on Friday. The Union government has claimed that the violence was incited by “provocative statements” made by the activist.

Along with the imposition of a curfew in Leh, internet services were suspended after the violence. Authorities in Kargil and other major towns of Ladakh also enforced prohibitory orders banning gatherings of five or more persons.

On Monday, the restrictions in Leh were relaxed for two hours from 4 pm after the completion of the last rites of the four persons killed in the police firing, PTI reported.

A decision to further extend the relaxation...

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