Leh has reimposed restrictions ahead of a planned silent march by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) on October 18, 2025, in response to the violence that occurred on September 24, 2025. The restrictions were reimposed due to apprehensions of disturbances to public peace and potential law and order breakdowns. This decision reverses a recent lifting of restrictions imposed 22 days prior, following clashes during protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. The September 24 incident resulted in four fatalities and numerous injuries.
The LAB, an umbrella group of political and religious organizations in Leh, has called for a two-hour silent march from Namgiyal Chowk to Shanti Stupa in Leh at 11 am, followed by a three-hour blackout across Ladakh from 6 pm to 9 pm on October 18. These actions are intended to express solidarity with the families of those who died or were injured in the September violence and to protest the delayed release of detained youth. Similar protests are expected to occur in Kargil and at block levels throughout Ladakh. Participants in the march will wear black armbands as a sign of resistance and solidarity with the victims. The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) is also supporting the march.
The September 24 violence broke out when security forces allegedly opened fire on protesters seeking Sixth Schedule status and statehood for Ladakh. In the aftermath, authorities imposed curfews, suspended mobile internet services, and arrested over 70 individuals, including environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was charged under the National Security Act (NSA). While internet access has since been restored and some restrictions lifted, LAB and KDA dispute the authorities' claims that normalcy has returned.
The LAB and KDA have been demanding a judicial inquiry into the September 24 violence and the release of all detainees as conditions for restarting talks with the government. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has ordered a judicial probe into the September 24 violence. The judicial inquiry will be conducted by retired Supreme Court judge B.S. Chauhan. Following the MHA announcement, the LAB has agreed to resume talks with the central government.
District Magistrate Romil Singh Donk issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), prohibiting assemblies of five or more people within the Leh tehsil. The order also bans processions, rallies, or marches.
