Leh, 24 September (IANS) four protesters died and more than 70 were injured in violent clashes between security forces and uncontrolled protesters in Leh Town on Wednesday, as the District Magistrate (DM) banned the Bharti Municipal Surka Santita (BNS) Act, 2023 under Section 163.
Chering Doorjay, chairman of the Leh Hill Development Council, confirmed reporters that four people were killed and more than 70 injured in Wednesday’s clashes between protesters and security forces.
DM Leh, Romil Singh Donk imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the BNS Act, citing the possibility of public peace, threat to human life and disturbances for possible laws and order problems in the district.
In the order, the DM said that he was satisfied that immediate preventive and therapeutic measures were necessary to maintain public orders and peace.
Accordingly, several restrictions have been imposed with immediate effect. As per the instructions, no procession, rally or march will be carried out without the pre -written approval of the competent authority.
The use of vehicles engaged with loudspeakers or other sound systems has also been prohibited until the approval is given by the authorities. The order prevents further individuals from making statements who can disturb public peace or provoke law-and-order problems.
The assembly of five or more people has also been banned under the jurisdiction of Leh district. The DM clarified that since such notice cannot be served personally, the order is being passed by the pre-part and will remain in force till further instructions.
Officials said the restrictions aim to prevent any potential provocative of stress and ensure peace in Leh.
Security forces have been instructed to implement strict prohibitive measures.
The score of uncontrolled protesters poured stones on the police, tortured some vehicles, including one of the CRPF, tortured the BJP office and tried to give a torch to the Secretariat of Leh Hill Development Council in the town.
The protesters tried to give a storm to the secretariat building, which was thwarted by the police using tear-dhokrapan shells and baton charge.
Wednesday’s protests began in solidarity with hunger strikers, who had been fasting for about two weeks, but quickly took a violent turn when the mob tried the storm and set fire to the Secretariat of Leh Hill Council.
The score of the protesters carrying placards and banners marched towards the secretariat, raising slogans against the administration and demanded that their complaints be addressed as soon as possible.
Eyewitnesses said that as the protest was swept away, a section of the crowd became uncontrolled and tried to give a torch to the Hill Council’s secretariat building.
Fire and emergency personnel reached the spot and managed to include the explosion before spreading, although the building caused partial damage.
The situation worsened when the protesters clashed with police and CRPF personnel posted in the area. Angry mob set a CRPF vehicle on fire.
The police initially responded by firing tear gas shells to disperse the protesters for chaos on the roads.
The protesters, after increasing the violence, set fire by security forces to bring the situation under control.
Officials said more than 3 dozen security men have suffered injuries and some of them have suffered serious injuries and are being treated in the hospital.
The top body is going on a hunger strike that has now entered its third week. During this period, the health of two participants, a 72 -year -old Chheri Angchok and 60 -year -old Doma, deteriorated due to long -term fasting.
Both were rushed to the hospital for treatment. The news of his condition expressed widespread resentment in Ladakh and attracted more people in the protest movement.
Immediately after the protest, climate activist, Sonam Wangchuk stopped the hunger strike and appealed to everyone to keep calm.
He said that the only way to achieve demands is that the peaceful Gandhian way of protests is that violence will not serve any purpose other than stress and difficulties.
The main demands are the implementation of conservation of the sixth schedule, stateism and the delicate ecosystem of the region.
Meanwhile, the two -day Long Leh Festival was suddenly closed on Wednesday, when the administration was forced to cancel its closing programs after violent protests in the city.
In view of today’s violence, the administration announced the cancellation of the last day of the Leh Festival. The cultural program, which displays the Ladakhi heritage, was scheduled to conclude with a ceremony, which was attended by Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor, Kavinder Gupta.
Officials said that the prevailing law and order situation made it impossible to move forward with the program. The festival, considered one of the major cultural highlights of Ladakh, was to promote tourism and celebrate local traditions.
Officials confirmed that additional security measures would remain across Leh to prevent further disturbances.
Senior BJP leader, Amit Malviya said on X, “The man in Ladakh is a Congress councilor for the riot Funtasog Stanzin Tsepag, Upper Leh Ward.
“He clearly provokes the crowd and can participate in the violence that has targeted the BJP office and the Hill Council. Is this kind of unrest imagined about Rahul Gandhi?”
Malavia also posted pictures in support of his claim that the Congress leader was inciting and participating in today’s violence.
Commenting on the Ladakh situation, the Chief Minister of J&P, Omar Abdullah said on X, “Ladakh was not even promised by the state, he celebrated the status of UT in 2019 and he feels betrayal and anger. Now try to imagine how we are betrayed in Jammu and Kashmir and when we are promising for the state, we are still a democratic.”
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