Shutdown in Ladakh as Wangchuk seeks release of inquiry report

Leh and Kargil observed a shutdown on the first anniversary of the September 24, 2025 violence that left four people dead during protests over statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards. Sonam Wangchuk demanded early release of the judicial inquiry report

Leh/Jammu: A shutdown was observed in Leh and other parts of Ladakh on Wednesday, marking the first anniversary of the September 24, 2025 violence that left four people dead during protests over demands for statehood and safeguards under the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule.

Shops and business establishments remained closed in Leh and Kargil, while traffic was thin on the roads, affecting normal life. Some in Ladakh observed the day as “Martyrs’ Day” or “Shaheed Diwas”.

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Leh and Kargil also witnessed tribute and remembrance programmes for those who lost their lives during last year’s violence.

On Wednesday, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved the withdrawal of criminal cases against 20 people booked in connection with the violence. The cases were withdrawn following a review by the Ladakh Police.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent face of last year’s protests, led a symbolic ‘padyatra’ in Leh on Wednesday to mark the first anniversary of the violence. Wangchuk announced that September 24 would be observed as Shaheed Diwas.

A padyatra proposed by the Apex Body Leh (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) from September 19 to 24 was limited to a symbolic march in Leh on Wednesday.

The march, joined by representatives of the LAB, was shortened due to changing weather conditions, organisers said. After covering around 20 km, the participants reached the Shaheed Memorial Park in Leh around 7 pm.

The foot march witnessed limited participation. Organisers said they had deliberately refrained from making a large-scale appeal outside Ladakh, as several people wanted locals to lead the commemorative programme.

The padyatra was held “in memory of those who were killed in the indiscriminate firing on September 24 last year”, Wangchuk said. He said people offered prayers and paid homage to those who died.

Wangchuk, who is part of the LAB and engaged in dialogue with the Centre along with the KDA, demanded the early submission and public release of the report of the judicial inquiry constituted into the September 24 incident.

A year has passed without the report being made public, he said, adding that the inquiry should establish the circumstances leading to the firing, whether any firing order was issued, how automatic weapons were allegedly used against protesters and how the violence began.

Protests seeking statehood and safeguards under the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule for Ladakh turned violent on September 24, 2025, leaving four people dead and several injured. The Union Territory administration subsequently ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident.

Wangchuk was detained two days after the incident last year under the National Security Act and was released in March this year.