Leh: Former Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, has written to Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta expressing “profound sorrow and deep regret” over the September 24 violence in Leh, which claimed four lives, left several injured, and caused widespread fear and damage.
In his letter, Namgyal described the incident as a “tragic turning point” for Ladakh, noting that what began as a peaceful protest for statehood and Sixth Schedule status ended in bloodshed. “The firing on unarmed protestors has shaken public trust. While violence and arson must be condemned, the crisis could have been handled with greater patience,” he wrote.
The former MP, who represented Ladakh in the 17th Lok Sabha, urged the administration to restore confidence among citizens through justice, transparency, and compassion. He called for an impartial judicial inquiry into the incident, immediate ex-gratia relief for the families of the deceased and grievously injured, and comprehensive medical care, including transfer of critical patients to premier hospitals outside Ladakh if required.
He further recommended counselling and psycho-social support for traumatised families and students, along with educational, vocational, and livelihood assistance for families that lost breadwinners.
Namygal also stressed on the need for a “credible dialogue process with all stakeholders” to address Ladakh’s grievances. “Our people, who shoulder immense responsibility as guardians of this frontier, deserve governance that is both firm and humane — delivering justice with compassion and addressing grievances with honesty,” he said.
The BJP leader acknowledged the appeals for peace by the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, and welcomed Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s intervention in initiating dialogue with members of the High-Powered Committee before their scheduled October 6 meeting.
Conveying condolences to the bereaved families, Namgyal said he stood ready to play “any constructive role for peace and reconciliation” at this fragile juncture.
The September 24 violence marked one of the most serious escalations in Ladakh since protests intensified over demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion. The deaths of four young protestors have triggered calls across the region for accountability and justice.
