LEH — Authorities on Saturday announced relaxation of curfew in Leh from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., as the situation showed signs of improvement.
After taking the leaders of the Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) into confidence, the curfew was relaxed to allow people to buy essential commodities.
Deadly clashes between unruly mobs and the security forces on September 24 claimed the lives of four protesters and injured 70 others.
Addressing a press conference in Leh, DGP, S.D. Singh Jamwal said that in the continuing deliberations between the two apex bodies of LAB and KDA and the centre, many things have already been achieved.
“Ladakh is the only region in the country where 85 per cent reservations are available to the locals. One-third of the seats in the council have been reserved for women. In order to protect the local culture, the Burgi and Bodi languages have been given official status. When these things were going on, Sonam Wangchuk, tried to hold protests for the statehood restoration and tried to vitiate the peaceful environment in Ladakh,” the DGP said.
They started a hunger strike, and despite being told that these actions would affect the ongoing talks, these people continued.
“The protesters burnt the BJP office and set the building on fire where four women security personnel were inside. My vehicle was also smashed, and I sustained minor injuries.
Under those conditions, the police had to open fire, during which four people died, he said.
The DGP confirmed that curfew is being relaxed today in a staggered manner from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. –IANS
