What began as a 35-day peaceful hunger strike led by renowned environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk turned into one of the darkest chapters in Ladakh’s recent history on September 24, 2025, when violence erupted in Leh. Four young men lost their lives and around 90 people were injured—seven of them seriously—after security forces opened fire during protests.

The hunger strike, launched on September 10, sought to press the Union Government to address Ladakh’s longstanding demands for constitutional safeguards, environmental protection, and political representation. Tensions mounted on September 23 when the health of two hunger strikers Tsering Angchuk 72 and Tashi Dolma 62 years both from Saspol village deteriorated, forcing their transfer to Sonam Norboo Memorial (SNM) Hospital. Many supporters saw the government’s continued silence as a sign of indifference to the peaceful movement, fueling public frustration.

That evening, youth leaders called for a shutdown on September 24, urging people to gather at the NDS Memorial Park, where the hunger strike was underway. By morning, nearly 1,000 people from all walks of life had assembled in a peaceful show of solidarity.
From Peaceful Protest to Chaos

Trouble flared in the afternoon when clashes broke out just outside the hunger strike site. A group of agitated youths expressed their anger by attacking and ultimately setting fire to the BJP office in Leh. Before igniting the building, protesters carefully removed a portrait of Kushok Bakula Rinpoche and an image of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, carrying the national flag aloft to signal that their grievances were not anti-national. 

Videos circulating on social media showed that even amid the clashes, some youths helped injured CRPF personnel, pacifying others and offering water.

The crowd then moved toward the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Secretariat, where the situation escalated rapidly. Security forces responded with tear gas and, ultimately, live gunfire. Protesters pelted stones and damaged parts of the Council Assembly Hall. Eyewitnesses reported that shots were fired into the crowd without prior warning. Four young men—all suffering bullet wounds to the chest, head, or neck—died.

Tsering Nordon, a local, said, “I studied in Delhi and participated in many protests, including the Nirbhaya case, but never saw forces using live bullets. They used lathis, tear gas, or water cannons, but never live rounds aimed at the head and chest. This incident demands accountability and justice—it has scarred every Ladakhi heart.”

Witnesses further alleged that security forces entered the hunger strike site, using lathis and tear gas against fasting participants. Outside, forces beat people on the streets—whether involved in protests or not—checking phones and detaining them. Around 50 people, including students, youth leaders, and politicians, were taken into custody.

Questions Over Use of Force
The killings have left a deep scar on Ladakh’s collective conscience and raised serious questions about the administration’s handling of the crisis. Key among them:
•    Were SOP followed to disperse the crowd?
•    Who authorized the use of live ammunition against unarmed demonstrators?
•    Why were less-lethal crowd-control methods—such as water cannons or rubber bullets—not used first?

For many Ladakhis, September 24 will be remembered as a black day, emblematic of both administrative failure and the breakdown of trust between the region’s people and the government.

Arrest of Sonam Wangchuk and Curfew

The tragedy did not end with the shootings. A curfew was immediately imposed across Leh and surrounding areas, along with a internet shutdown. On September 26, Sonam Wangchuk was arrested from his village of Uleytokpo and transported to Jodhpur Central Jail under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), a move that drew widespread condemnation.

Final Rites and Rising Demands

Funeral rites for the four victims—Tsewang Tharchin (46) of Skurbuchan village, Rinchen Dadul (22) of Hanu, Stanzin Namgail (24) of Igoo, and Jigmet Dorjey (25) of Kharnakling—were performed under heavy security on September 28 and 29. Grief mingled with anger as families and supporters demanded justice.
Later that evening, the Apex Body announced suspension of its scheduled October 6 dialogue with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) until the government took concrete steps to meet their demands:
•    A fair and transparent judicial inquiry into the use of excessive force.
•    Accountability for the open firing that killed four young men.
•    Release of Sonam Wangchuk, whom they call wrongfully detained.
•    A public correction of “baseless” allegations from the Lieutenant Governor, DGP Ladakh Police, and some national media outlets portraying Ladakhi protesters as anti-national.

Apex Body Chairman Thupstan Chhewang stated: “Until and unless the government restores normalcy and acts on our demands, we will not proceed with the scheduled dialogue. Accountability is essential.”

Chering Dorje Lakruk echoed the sentiment,“Had the government taken our concerns seriously and engaged in timely talks, this tragedy could have been avoided. Instead, they have resorted to curfews and restrictions. The firing was carried out without a magistrate’s order. We demand justice and accountability.”

Later that evening at 8:02 PM, Ministry of Home Affairs  released a press statement which reads as, “Government has always been open for dialogues on Ladakh matters with Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) at any time. We would continue to welcome the discussion with ABL and KDA through the HPC on Ladakh or any such platform. The dialogue mechanism established with Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) through the High Powered Committee (HPC) on Ladakh has yielded good results till date in the form of increased reservations to the Scheduled Tribes of Ladakh, providing women reservation in LAHDCs and protection to local languages. The process of recruitment for 1800 posts in government has already commenced in UT of Ladakh.  We are confident that continuous dialogue would yield the desired results in near future.”

Grief, Outrage, and Calls for Justice

Public representatives, including Konchok Stanzin, held the government, administration, and local leaders responsible for the crisis. Many argued that financial compensation cannot heal the wounds or restore faith in leadership.

Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of LAHDC Leh expressed profound grief and outrage, urging the Lieutenant Governor to immediately establish an independent and impartial judicial inquiry. He further appealed for a review of arrests to ensure no innocent person is harassed, and called for adequate compensation and long-term support for all affected families.

The CEC stressed: “At this critical juncture, the people of Ladakh must be supported with compassion, sensitivity, and justice.”

Despite attempts by some national media to depict the protests as anti-India, local residents stress that their demands are well within the Indian Constitution. Ladakhis point to their long history of patriotism, including their critical role in defending India’s borders during the 1999 Kargil War and other conflicts.

As the region mourns, the call for justice, accountability, and constitutional safeguards grows louder. For many, these demands are not just about the violence of one tragic day, but about ensuring that Ladakh’s voice is heard and respected within the Indian Union.