Police Fired on Leh Protesters Without Orders, Congress Tells Probe Panel
Srinagar – The Indian National Congress has alleged that the Ladakh police opened fire on peaceful protesters in Leh on September 24th without authorization from an on-duty magistrate, a violation of established protocols and legal procedures. The allegation was made in a memorandum submitted to the judicial commission investigating the violence and deaths that occurred during the protests.
The judicial commission, headed by retired Supreme Court Justice BS Chauhan, was formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs in October to investigate the circumstances surrounding the violence and the deaths of four civilians during the protests in Leh. The deadline for submissions to the panel was recently extended to December 8th.
According to the Congress, the police action constituted a "reckless and disproportionate use of lethal force". The memorandum, submitted by senior Congress leader Nawang Rigzin Jora, claims that the police failed to use tear gas and lathi charges, as is standard procedure, and instead "directly resorted to bullet firing on the innocent crowd". This, according to the Congress, violates Section 149 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which explicitly requires authorization from a magistrate before such action is taken.
The Congress submission further asserts that eyewitnesses, including members of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), have confirmed that no such order was issued, making the firing unlawful and a "blatant breach of the procedure established by law". The LAB is the region's largest political and religious group and has been at the forefront of protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh.
The Congress has also stated that the police firing was a "direct assault on the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21" of the Indian Constitution. They also raised concerns about the continued detention of innocent individuals, including activist Sonam Wangchuk, claiming a violation of Article 22's protections against arbitrary arrest and detention. Wangchuk has been booked under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).
The Congress argues that the events of September 24th are "a symptom of grave mis-governance and a total failure of law enforcement" in Ladakh. They believe the demands for Sixth Schedule status and statehood stem from genuine concerns about cultural preservation, environmental protection, and equitable development. The party is seeking the immediate release of those detained and emphasizes that the "wounds inflicted on Sept 24 run deep".
In the aftermath of the September protests, Director General of Police S. D. Singh Jamwal defended the police action, stating that the firing was done in self-defense and to prevent a larger flare-up that could have resulted in Leh being burned to the ground. He also alleged that "vested interests" and Sonam Wangchuk instigated the unrest. According to reports, protesters had set a local BJP office on fire and pelted police and CRPF with stones. Officials reported that dozens of police personnel were injured during the clashes.
