World · India Bureau
Ladakh L-G withdraws cases against 20 charged in 2025 Leh violence
The Ladakh administration has approved the withdrawal of cases against 20 individuals booked during violent protests in September 2025 that erupted over demands for statehood and constitutional protections. The move comes as activist Sonam Wangchuk marked the first anniversary of the unrest with a symbolic march through Leh.
LSN India ·
The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh has granted approval to withdraw criminal cases registered against 20 persons charged in connection with the violence that occurred on September 24, 2025, during demonstrations demanding statehood status and Sixth Schedule protections for the Union Territory.
The withdrawal decision comes as civil society activist Sonam Wangchuk led a commemorative padyatra through Leh on the anniversary of the violence. The march served as a symbolic reminder of the protests that had gripped the region, with demonstrators calling for enhanced constitutional safeguards and greater autonomy for Ladakh.
The September 2025 unrest had witnessed confrontations between protesters and security forces, resulting in multiple arrests during the agitation. The decision to withdraw cases against the 20 individuals marks an attempt by the administration to ease tensions following the anniversary of the incidents.
Ladakh's political landscape has been marked by demands for statehood status since its separation from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. Activists and civil society leaders have consistently pressed for constitutional protections under the Sixth Schedule, which provides special provisions for tribal regions and autonomous councils in northeastern states.