Leh, Sept 30: In a positive development in the region, all the shops and business establishments will be thrown open from October 1 (Wednesday) as Ladakh takes a big leap towards normalcy after days of curfew and unrest.
Meanwhile, schools, colleges and other educational institutions to remain shut till further notice.
“All shops and business establishments to open in Leh tomorrow, Wednesday, October 1, as Ladakh takes big normalcy leap. Meanwhile, schools, colleges and other educational institutions to remain shut till further notice,” an official notification issued by District Magistrate Leh read.
On Tuesday, in Leh, authorities significantly eased the curfew on Tuesday, allowing markets to reopen and offering relief to residents after a week of stringent restrictions following violent clashes on September 24.
The curfew was relaxed from 10 AM to 5 PM, with no further restrictions imposed as the situation remained peaceful. This followed a brief two-hour relaxation on Monday after the last rites of four victims, including a retired soldier, killed in the unrest.
Police and paramilitary forces remain deployed in sensitive areas, maintaining strict vigilance, with no new incidents reported since the violence.
While markets saw a surge of activity and vehicles returned to the roads, educational institutions stayed closed.
“Authorities relaxed the curfew for almost the entire day in Leh town, allowing markets to gradually reopen and providing relief to the people who were reeling under week-long curbs,” Officials said.
“Barring the violence last Wednesday, there was no untoward incident reported from anywhere. Police and paramilitary forces are deployed in strength as a precautionary measure in the sensitive areas and are maintaining strict vigil to maintain law and order,” a police official said.
Additional District Magistrate in Leh, Ghulam Mohammed, earlier ordered the opening of all grocery stores, essential services, hardware and vegetable shops during the relaxation period.
Earlier on Saturday, the curfew was relaxed for the first time for two hours each from 1 PM and from 3.30 PM in separate areas.
The officials said mobile internet services continued to be suspended in Leh town, and prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more persons are still in force in other major parts of the Union Territory, including Kargil.
Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has been chairing high-level security review meetings almost on a daily basis. On Monday, he appealed to the people to maintain peace, calling it “the cornerstone of development”.
“I urge all sections of society to maintain unity and harmony and not fall prey to the designs of anti-social and anti-national elements. The administration stands firmly with the people and will ensure their safety, dignity and progress,” Gupta had said.
He also hailed the people for showing remarkable restraint and commitment in challenging circumstances and promised to address their every legitimate issue through dialogue and democratic means.
The lieutenant governor also issued clear directions for enhanced intelligence gathering, regular community engagement and swift redressing of public grievances to strengthen trust between the administration and the citizens.
The curfew was imposed in Leh town on the evening of September 24 following violent protests during a shutdown called by a constituent of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), to advance talks with the Centre on the demands for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.
More than 60 people, including two councillors, were taken into custody following the incident. These included climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was detained under the National Security Act on September 26 and subsequently lodged at Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.
Meanwhile, the Ladakh BJP called for a thorough investigation into the incident to ensure “accountability and justice”.
“At the same time, we demand the immediate release of all innocent persons charged with minor offences,” the BJP said in a statement, expressing condolences to the families of the deceased.
“Ladakh is known for its beauty and the resilience of its people. We urge everyone in Ladakh to uphold peace and harmony. It is crucial that we do not take law and order into our hands or fall prey to misinformation. Let us work together to ensure that peace prevails,” the party said.
It appealed to everyone to come together, fostering unity and harmony. “We request the cooperation of all citizens in maintaining peace and supporting efforts towards healing and reconciliation,” it said.
