Leh Protests Turn Deadly: CRPF Vehicle Burned, Four Killed Over Ladakh Statehood Demands

Background to the unrest

Leh, the capital of the union territory of Ladakh, has long seen calls for greater autonomy. In recent months a coalition of student groups, local NGOs, and political activists pushed for two specific constitutional changes: conversion of Ladakh into a full-fledged state and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, which would give the region special protection for its tribal communities.

The focal point of the movement was Sonam Wangchuk, a well‑known social and climate activist. On September 9, 2025 he began a hunger strike lasting 15 days, demanding that the central government open talks on the two constitutional reforms. His fast quickly gathered sympathy among university students and youth in the region.

While the strike itself was peaceful, a series of small rallies were organized to keep the pressure on New Delhi. The atmosphere grew tense as local officials resisted any immediate dialogue, citing national security concerns and the recent reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir.

Escalation and aftermath

On September 24, a scheduled shutdown turned into a full‑scale confrontation. Hundreds of students marched through the streets of Leh, holding banners demanding "statehood now" and chanting slogans against the central government.

Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) units were deployed to guard key government buildings, including the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) headquarters and the local BJP office. As the crowd approached the BJP office, a fringe group broke away and threw stones at the police.

In response, security forces fired tear‑gas shells and launched baton charges. The situation spiralled when some protesters set fire to a CRPF vehicle parked nearby. The vehicle burned for several minutes before it collapsed, leaving a smoky wreckage that became a grim symbol of the day's violence.

At the same time, the BJP office was torched. The building, a two‑storey structure built in a traditional Ladakhi style, was completely gutted. Several civilian cars and nearby shop shutters were also damaged in the ensuing chaos.

By evening, the death toll had risen to four—three protesters and one police constable—while more than 70 people, including children and senior citizens, sustained injuries ranging from minor cuts to serious burns. Two of the injured were reported to be other hunger strikers who were in a critical condition.

Authorities quickly invoked Section 144, prohibiting assembly of more than four people in public spaces, and ordered a total internet shutdown across the district. The move was aimed at curbing the spread of rumors and preventing further gatherings.

Following the bloodshed, Sonam Wangchuk announced the end of his hunger strike. In a brief statement he appealed to the youth to stop the violence, insisting that peaceful dialogue was the only way forward.

The charred remains of the CRPF vehicle and the gutted BJP office remain as stark reminders of what happened. Local officials have promised a review of the incident, and the central government has said it will consider a "review meeting" on Ladakh's political status, although no concrete timeline has been set.

For now, the region is left grappling with grief, the loss of lives, and a deepening divide between the demands of the local population and the government's stance. The events of September 24 have underscored how quickly a protest can turn deadly when emotions run high and communication breaks down.