LEH, September 27, 2025: The Leh Apex Body (LAB) on Friday rejected allegations of a “foreign hand” in the September 24 violence that left four people dead and nearly 90 injured, insisting that the unrest was fueled by local youth anger, not external interference.
LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay, addressing a press conference, demanded a judicial probe into the incident, alleging that security forces fired indiscriminately on protesters without exhausting non-lethal measures like tear gas or water cannons.
“Ninety-five per cent of the injured sustained bullet or pellet wounds. This proves excessive and unjustified use of force,” Dorjay said.
He added that protesters carried tricolours and respected national symbols, countering claims that the agitation was anti-national.
Dorjay further alleged that the administration was attempting to “cover its failures” by linking the unrest to outsiders and foreign elements.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, the face of the Ladakh movement, was scheduled to attend the briefing but was arrested under the National Security Act (NSA) before he could reach the venue.
The LAB said its legal team is working to secure bail for those detained and reiterated that talks with the Centre would resume only after the funerals of the victims.
