Ladakh: Violent Student Protests Erupt in Ladakh; CRPF Vehicle Set Ablaze Outside BJP OfficeLeh, Ladakh — September 24, 2025:Protests in the Union Territory of Ladakh turned violent on Wednesday as agitating students set fire to a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) vehicle outside the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Leh. The unrest stems from a long-standing list of demands being raised by local residents and student groups.Key Demands of the Protesters:Full statehood status for Ladakh.Separate Lok Sabha constituencies for Leh and Kargil.Constitutional safeguards for Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule.Reservation of government jobs for local residents.Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for the past 15 days demanding full statehood for Ladakh, condemned the violent turn of events.Sonam Wangchuk Condemns Violence on X (formerly Twitter)In a post on X, Wangchuk expressed his sorrow, stating that on the sixth day of his hunger strike, it was painful to witness widespread violence and vandalism in Leh. Several government offices were damaged, and police vehicles were set ablaze — acts which he described as “deeply regrettable.”The situation reportedly escalated after two individuals participating in the hunger strike were hospitalized, sparking public outrage and leading to a shutdown call in Leh. In response, large groups of youth took to the streets.Wangchuk described the outburst as a result of “pent-up frustration” among the youth but urged them to remain peaceful. “Violence is not the path forward. It could undo five years of our peaceful efforts,” he said, calling on the government to respond with sensitivity and understanding.
