Three weeks after restrictions were imposed in the wake of violent protests, the District Magistrate of Leh, Romil Singh Donk today ordered their complete withdrawal.
The curbs, enforced under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, had been imposed on September 24 to maintain public peace and tranquillity following violent demonstrations that left four people dead and over 100 injured.
According to the official order, the restrictions were initially implemented as a preventive measure to avert any further breach of peace. Over the past weeks, authorities gradually eased the curbs as the situation improved, culminating in their complete withdrawal today.
The decision to lift the restrictions followed a report from the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Leh, who informed that there was no longer any imminent apprehension of disturbance to public order and recommended the withdrawal of the measures. Acting on the SSP’s assessment, the District Magistrate ordered that the restrictions stand withdrawn with immediate effect.
The complete withdrawal of restrictions comes a day after the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) — the two key groups spearheading Ladakh’s movement for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule —announced plans for a two-hour peaceful silent march, followed by an evening blackout across the union Territory.
The date for the protest is yet to be finalized.
