Amnesty International has called on Indian authorities to initiate a swift and independent investigation into the use of live ammunition during recent protests in Leh, Ladakh, which resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals and injuries to more than 50 others. According to Aakar Patel, chair of Amnesty International India’s board, it is crucial to prioritize de-escalation and uphold the right to peaceful protest. He emphasized that firearms should be a measure of last resort and their use against demonstrators is always unlawful.
The conflict arose as demonstrators rallied for statehood and constitutional protections for land and jobs, highlighting local dissatisfaction with federal governance. Witnesses reported that protests turned violent when vehicles and a ruling party office were set on fire. In response, police claimed they fired in self-defense. Subsequently, a curfew was imposed, and mobile internet services were temporarily curtailed in parts of Leh.
The protests are part of a broader movement spearheaded by Ladakhi groups following the region’s redesignation as a Union Territory on October 31, 2019. Many residents initially welcomed this change; however, concerns over land safeguards, demographic shifts, and restricted local autonomy have since intensified. The Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, among others, have organized various demonstrations, including marches, sit-ins, and hunger strikes, to push for statehood and inclusion under India’s Sixth Schedule, which provides certain self-governing rights to tribal areas.
Prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been a strong advocate for the movement, concluded a 14-day hunger strike in response to the week’s violence, only to be subsequently detained by the police. The region’s strategic location, bordered by Pakistan and China, along with environmental challenges like glacial melt, further exacerbates the urgency for enhanced local governance over development and environmental policy.
Amnesty International stressed the necessity for an inquiry to assess why less-lethal crowd control methods were not fully employed before live rounds were fired. It is imperative to evaluate whether the use of firearms adhered to principles of necessity and proportionality. The Indian government, along with Ladakh representatives, is scheduled to engage in further discussions in early October, addressing these pressing concerns and exploring pathways to resolve the ongoing tensions.