Police inaction over an eve-teasing case results in clashes between police personnel and protestors on 4 October evening in Leh. 

Later, the situation worsens when the protestors started throwing stones at police personnel and government property. Police arrested youths, used tear gas and lathi-charged on the protestors. All those arrested youths under 18 were released free late in the evening. Most of the arrested stone pelters were youths.  

The protestors alleged involvement of two cops in an eve-teasing incident that took place on 30 September around 5.45 in the evening at the main market. They further said that police failed to lodge a complaint against the two accused cops. 

Rinchen Lhamo, Nominated Councillor for women said that the incharge officials instead of filing the girl complain seeked SSP and Dy.SP Hq. intervention first.  Failing to lodge an FIR at Police station, the girl filed a complaint to the judicial magistrate.

As per sources, the policemen in plain clothes were beaten in the market for the misbehavior. Two youths arrested in charge of beating the accused cops were given bail on 4 October. As per report from the social media, the duo charged with section 307 was felicitated by the LBA at Chowkhang Vihara.  

The two boys who stood for the girl are friends and have been working together in a music studio from past few months.

When media asked Sargun Shukla, SSP, Leh on October 3 about the case, she refused to comment saying that the case is under investigation.

Narrating the whole incident during a press conference on October 3, Rinchen Lhamo, Nominated Women Councillor said, “The girl was walking in the main market in the evening when two people passed obscene comments on her.  This leads to heated arguments and ended with scuffle. When she went to file FIR, the police refused to lodge it and arrested the two men who argued with the accused cops for commenting and charged with section 307 of RPC (Attempt to a murder)".

“Later, they came to know that the two people were policemen. It’s very sad that the police personnel who are supposed to protect us are indulging in such cases. We are feeling insecure that tomorrow if something happens to a girl no one will come forward to help us”, she added.

Leaders of social, religious and political heads showed resentment and addressed to the gathering during the peace protest rally on October 4. All the business establishment units remain shut down.

Chering Dorje, MLC said that it’s very shameful and disheartening to see that despite having a woman SSP crime against women is encouraged by shielding the alleged person. He demanded inquiry in the arrest of two men who stood for the woman safety and reason for beating them in the police custody.  Also, asked a logical conclusion for everything. 

He questioned about the non-implementation of setting up of a women police station when the government has already sanctioned it in the year 2017.

A copy of memorandum undersigned by the women leaders was forwarded to Satya Pal Malik, Governor J&K. The letter reads as, “We request you to initiate a prompt action through an impartial inquiry and take strict disciplinary action against the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Leh and the erring police personnel in the meantime we request you to immediately transfer the Deputy Superintendent of Police from Leh.”

The concerned authorities refused to comment on the issue as the case is still under investigation.