Judicial inquiry into Leh violence begins on Saturday; UT admin directs wide publicity

SRINAGAR: Ladakh UT administration stated Friday that the judicial probe into the Sept 24 violence in Leh, which claimed four lives, would be held at the Alternate Dispute Redressal Centre, Melongthang, in Leh from Oct 25-28.

In an order issued Friday, the UT law and justice department instructed the Directorate of Information and Public Relations to provide wide publicity to the inquiry proceedings “with the request to the interested, aggrieved persons, if any, to record their testimony” before the members of the judicial committee.

The order also asked Leh’s Power Development Department to ensure that electricity supply remains uninterrupted during the proceedings, instructing officials concerned to carry out any repair and maintenance work necessary.

Leh SSP must monitor all security measures to be adopted for the scheduled proceedings and provide appropriate security at the location, the order stated. It also directed Leh chief medical officer to depute a medical team to remain present with essential medical supplies during the proceedings.

Union home ministry had on Oct 17 announced the judicial probe and appointed retired Supreme Court Justice Dr B S Chauhan to head the inquiry.

On Sept 24, police and paramilitary personnel had allegedly opened fire on protesters demanding Sixth Schedule status and statehood for Ladakh after demonstrations turned violent. More than 90 were injured in the clash, which led to the imposition of curfew-like restrictions, mobile internet suspension, and the arrest of over 70 individuals, including educationist-activist Sonam Wangchuk. Govt later restored internet services, lifted restrictions and announced the return of normalcy in the region.