In Gesture Of Goodwill After Ladakh Violence, Government Releases 26 Protesters From Leh Jail

A week after violent protests in Ladakh over demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards, the government released 26 men detained during the unrest.

The move aims to ease tensions and show intent to resolve the issue peacefully, reported NDTV.

Families and Ladakhi leaders gathered at Leh District Jail Thursday morning (2 October) to welcome the released protesters.

They greeted them with a khata, a ceremonial white scarf symbolising honour and respect.

Tsering Dorje Lakruk, Co-Chairman of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), honoured them personally.

The gesture came after Lakruk announced that the LAB would withdraw from talks over will withdraw from talks over the detention of protesters, including environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was arrested three days after the violence under the National Security Act.

Wangchuk denies charges of instigating violence and remains in a Rajasthan jail.

He had been leading a 15-day hunger strike in Leh and later appealed for peace when clashes began.

The LAB urged the government to rescind Wangchuk’s detention, but the demand has not been met.

After the appeal, the government said they “had always maintained an open position for dialogue with the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance at any time.”

The protests erupted on 24 September after activists’ hospitalisation and frustration over delayed talks.

Four people died, dozens were injured, and over 50 were arrested.

Protesters demand a judicial probe into the deaths, including that of Tsewang Tharchin, a Kargil War veteran.

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