UNREST IN LEH: Protestors pelt stones on Leh Hill Council building, set police vehicle & BJP office on fire: Reports

STC NEWS MONITORING DESK
LEH, SEPTEMBER 24 (STC): Protest in Leh escalated into violent clashes with police as demonstrators enforced a shutdown to protest, what they call, the Union Government and UT administration’s failure to honor a four-point agreement, reports Kashmir Dot Com (KDC). The report said the protesters set in fire pokice vehicle and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office.
Cross section of media reports that the ongoing agitation in Ladakh demanding statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule entered its 14th day today. Tensions flared in Leh after two women protesters fell ill and had to be hospitalised.
The protesters, identified as Sri Anchuk and Anchuk Dolma, collapsed during the demonstration and were rushed to a nearby hospital. The incident provoked unrest among the gathering, leading to stone pelting at the Leh Hill Council building.
Security forces were deployed in large numbers to control the situation, which officials described as tense but under control.
Reports said that the protest is being spearheaded by the people of Ladakh which have been pressing for statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards for Ladakh. Organisers said the central government has set October 6 as the date for a decision on the matter, but the protesters are demanding an earlier resolution. “Our demand is immediate action. The people of Ladakh cannot wait any longer,” one protesting leader said.
Sajad Kargali, a member of the organising committee in Kargil, told the media that Kargil will observe a complete shutdown tomorrow, on Thursday in support of the agitation. “The movement is gaining momentum. Tomorrow, Kargil will remain shut to show solidarity and send a strong message to New Delhi,” he said.

(Straight Talk Communications)