A silent march, jointly called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) as part of their ongoing agitation for statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule, was thwarted in Leh on Saturday as authorities imposed prohibitory orders and snapped mobile internet.
However, Kargil witnessed a peaceful silent march, with KDA leaders condemning the restrictions in Leh and welcoming the announcement of a judicial probe into the 24 September police firing that left four people dead and over 90 injured.
Police and paramilitary forces were deployed in strength in Leh and its adjoining areas amid a call by two agitating groups for a two-hour silent march from 10 am and a three-hour blackout from 6 pm across Ladakh to express solidarity with those who lost their lives and those injured or unlawfully detained.
As a precautionary measure, the authorities reimposed prohibitory orders in Leh under Section 163 of the BNSS, suspended mobile internet services, and also ordered the closure of educational institutions.
Anjuman Imamia president and LAB member Ashraf Ali Barcha said that the administration deployed security forces in strength and did not allow people to assemble for the silent march.
It was claimed that the co-chairman of the LAB, Chering Dorjay, was put under house arrest.
Led by KDA leaders, hundreds of people, including co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai and Sajjad Kargili, held a peaceful march from Hussaini Park to the main bus stand in Kargil.
The participants wore black bands and carried placards while seeking statehood and safeguards under the Sixth Schedule.
Kargili said the protest reflects deep concern over the denial of peaceful democratic space in Ladakh.
He sought compensation for those killed in the police firing and those who suffered injuries, besides seeking the immediate release of all detainees, including Sonam Waangchuk.