Ladakh violence probe begins; activist Wangchuk arrested amid protests
A judicial commission led by retired Supreme Court Justice BS Chauhan is in Leh to investigate violent clashes on September 24 that left four people dead, including a Kargil war veteran, and over 90 injured.
The unrest erupted during protests for Ladakh's statehood and more autonomy, with climate activist Sonam Wangchuk—a prominent leader of the movement—now in custody.
The commission will hear testimonies and visit sites where protesters set fire to a BJP office and police vehicles.
Inquiry could shape political future of Ladakh
This inquiry could shape Ladakh's political future.
Locals have felt sidelined since Ladakh became a Union Territory without its own legislature back in 2019, losing much of their self-governance.
Many are demanding statehood and protections for their tribal identity and land.
What happens next may influence how the government handles dissent—and whether residents' calls for more autonomy are finally heard.