Overview

• Officials reported at least four deaths and dozens of injuries after youth-led demonstrations over statehood and Sixth Schedule protections turned violent in Leh.
• Protesters set the BJP office and vehicles ablaze and vandalised government property as police used teargas and baton charges; the Home Ministry said police fired in self-defence.
• The immediate trigger, according to protest leaders, was the hospitalisation of two elderly hunger strikers from a 35-day fast.
• Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his fast and urged an end to violence, calling for urgent dialogue even as political blame-trading intensified.
• Leh is under curfew with prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS, additional CRPF and ITBP forces have been deployed, and the next formal Centre–Ladakh talks remain scheduled for October 6.