At least four people were killed and dozens more injured on Wednesday as protesters clashed with security personnel in Ladakh. The Leh Apex Body led a shutdown across the capital city amid growing calls for statehood and extention of the Sizth Schedule. Activist Sonam Wangchuk later dubbed it a “Gen Z revolution” and noted that many had left unemployed “without their democratic rights” for years in Ladakh.
“My message of peaceful path failed today. I appeal to youth to please stop this nonsense. This only damages our cause,” he wrote on X while sharing a video message.
‘Gen Z revolution’
Wangchuk noted that several offices and police vehicles had been set on fire during the protests. He noted that two of the people who had been fasting (for 35 days) were taken to the hospital in a critical condition on Tuesday. This in turn had sparked widespread anger — with a complete shutdown declared across Leh today.
“Thousands of young people came out. Some people think they were our supporters. The entire Leh is our supporter. But this was a Gen Z revolution. They have been unemployed for the last 5 years… They are being excluded from jobs… I’ve always said that this is the recipe for social unrest: keeping young people unemployed and snatching away their democratic rights,” he said.
Wangchuk also ended his hunger strike demanding statehood for the Union Territory after 15 days — insisting that the ongoing clashes only served to damage their cause.
“I appeal to the young generation of Ladakh, not to follow this path of violence because it thwarts my five years of efforts. I’ve been fasting for so many years, marching peacefully, and then resorting to violence; this is not our path. I request the young generation to approach the government through peace,” he said.
Protest turns violent
Police had to resort to firing to bring the situation under control after the protesters, who have launched an agitation for statehood for Ladakh and extension of the Sixth Schedule, indulged in widespread violence, attacking a BJP office and several vehicles, they said.Four people were killed and 30 others injured in intense clashes, the officials said.The protesters claimed that the four people were killed in police firing.The Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) youth wing called for the protest after two of the 15 people, who were on a 35-day hunger strike since September 10 in support of the demand for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule, were shifted to a hospital after their condition deteriorated on Tuesday evening.
(With inputs from agencies)