Curfew and Internet Ban Remain in Leh Amid Preparations for Last Rites of Violence Victims

PTI, Leh, 29th Sept 2025 : Curfew remained in force for the sixth consecutive day in Leh, following violent protests related to the Ladakh statehood demand. Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta is set to chair a high-level security meeting ahead of the last rites for ex-serviceman Tsewang Tharchin and 21-year-old Rinchen Dadul later in the day.

"The situation remained largely peaceful in the curfew-bound areas, with no untoward incidents reported. Police and paramilitary forces are deployed in sensitive areas, ensuring strict vigilance to maintain law and order," an official stated.

The Lt Governor's meeting at Raj Bhavan is convened to review the security situation before the last rites of the two victims. Tsewang Tharchin, a former soldier from Skurbuchan, and Rinchen Dadul, a young resident of Hanu, were among the four people who lost their lives during the violence on September 24. The last rites of the other two victims, Stanzin Namgyal (24) and Jigmet Dorjay (25), were held on Sunday.

Officials reported that mobile internet services remained suspended in Leh, and prohibitory orders preventing the assembly of five or more persons continued in key areas, including Kargil.

The curfew was imposed on Wednesday evening after widespread violence erupted during a shutdown called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB), which had been pushing for statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh. The protests resulted in more than 150 injuries, including around 80 police officers.

Over 60 individuals, including two councilors and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, were arrested. Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act and later transferred to Jodhpur Jail in Rajasthan.

Curfew restrictions were relaxed for four hours on Saturday, and the period passed off peacefully.