Leh: The Union Territory of Ladakh remains tense and grieving after recent violence in Leh left at least four protesters dead and dozens injured, but the demand for statehood continues to dominate public sentiment.

In Leh’s Martyrs’ Park, where tents and chairs of protest gatherings were recently cleared under curfew restrictions, the mood is described as somber yet determined. Community leaders and residents insist that the struggle for full statehood and constitutional safeguards will not be abandoned.

The unrest intensified on September 24 when demonstrations demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule protections turned violent, leading to police firing that killed four people. The incident marked one of the deadliest days of protests since Ladakh was carved out as a Union Territory in 2019.

Adding to tensions, prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, a key figure in the movement, was arrested under the National Security Act on September 26. While authorities later released 26 other detainees in a conciliatory gesture, Wangchuk remains in custody, drawing widespread criticism from rights groups and opposition parties.

Human Rights Watch has urged an independent investigation into the killings, while local bodies demand accountability and a transparent judicial inquiry. The central government, meanwhile, has scheduled talks with Ladakhi leaders on October 6, a meeting that will test the scope for reconciliation.

Protesters’ main concerns include the demand for statehood, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule for stronger tribal protections, and assurances over land, job opportunities, and ecological safeguards. The government faces a delicate balancing act between addressing local grievances and maintaining order in the strategically sensitive region bordering China and Pakistan.

As Leh struggles to come to terms with the recent bloodshed, the outcome of the upcoming talks will determine whether dialogue can ease tensions or whether Ladakh’s call for greater autonomy will only grow louder.