Amidst tight security and a fifth consecutive day of curfew, the solemn cremations for two civilians killed during street protests in Ladakh took place in Leh on Sunday, September 28, 2025. Only immediate family members were permitted to attend the final rites for Jigmet Dorjay, 25, from Kharnakling village, and Stanzin Namgyal, 23, from Igoo village.
The town remained under heavy lockdown, with sensitive areas heavily barricaded and internet services suspended, reflecting the heightened tensions.
Meanwhile, locals have confirmed that funeral prayers for two more victims, Rinchen Dadul (20, from Hanu village) and Tsewang Tharchin (46, from Skur Buchan village), are set for Monday, September 29, 2025. Notably, Tharchin was a veteran who served with the Ladakh Scouts and fought in the 1999 Kargil War.
In response to the escalating situation, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta convened a high-level security review meeting with senior officials.
The fatalities bring the total number of civilians killed to four, with approximately 90 injured, during intense clashes between protesters and security forces. These confrontations arose from a sustained three-week hunger strike, demanding Statehood and Sixth Schedule status, which was led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has since been detained.
Tariq Hameed Karra, president of the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee, criticized the handling of the crisis, stating, “The Ladakh government and the Centre are gravely mistaken if they believe that normalcy will return to Leh simply with the arrest of Mr. Wangchuk.”
Karra further asserted that the current unrest is a consequence of the BJP’s actions, arguing that those who initially supported the abrogation of Article 370 now feel disillusioned by unfulfilled promises. He highlighted widespread youth anger, joblessness, and the denial of Sixth Schedule rights as key factors driving the public onto the streets.
Local Leader’s Plea for Inquiry Denied
In a related development, the Leh administration rejected a request from Tashi Gyalson, Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Leh (LAHDC-Leh), to be present at the cremations. Additionally, all educational institutions in Leh will remain closed until September 28.
Despite being a BJP leader, Mr. Gyalson publicly called for an inquiry into the September 24 violence. “I have written to Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta, demanding a thorough investigation into the provocations that led to the violence, as well as an examination of the indiscriminate use of force against peaceful protesters,” he stated.
Looking ahead, three-member delegations from the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and Leh Apex Body are slated to travel to Delhi today, September 29, for preliminary discussions with Ministry of Home Affairs officials. These preparatory talks will precede a crucial main meeting with a High-Powered Committee of the MHA on October 6.