Leh Emerges from Curfew: Hope Rekindles Amidst Dialogue Efforts

In Leh city, the streets bustled with life on Friday as curfew measures, imposed following unresolved violent clashes, were relaxed. This easing brought a wave of relief to the public, reviving local commerce as markets reopened and traffic flowed. Businesses were granted permission to operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., marking the end of a week-long closure.

The region's turmoil began with protests advocating for Ladakh's statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. These demonstrations escalated into violence within Leh, resulting in clashes with law enforcement. Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has reiterated the Central government's commitment to engaging in dialogue to meet Ladakh's public aspirations.

Gupta highlighted ongoing conversations with protest leaders, expressing optimism about fostering an environment conducive to dialogue. "We are representing the people's interests. Exceptional efforts are underway to create jobs, promising significant improvement in sectors like tourism, education, and health," Gupta told ANI. The administration recently advertised 1,000 jobs, aiming to involve 18,000 MSMEs employing over 50,000 people.

A high-level review of the law and order situation, led by LG Gupta, was held to discuss security measures in the aftermath of the September 24 violence, which resulted in four fatalities during retaliation by authorities. The briefing included insights from senior officials such as Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal and Director General of Police SD Singh Jamwal.

(With inputs from agencies.)