Author: The Dispatch Staff

Leh, September 23: In a move aimed at promoting peace, public tranquillity and social harmony in Ladakh, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved the withdrawal of criminal cases against 20 individuals in connection with the violence that erupted in Leh on September 24, 2025. The decision follows a comprehensive review of the cases, after which the Ladakh Police recommended submission of a closure report in respect of the 20 individuals in FIR No. 144/2025, registered at Police Station Leh. The action has been taken under Section 360 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which provides for withdrawal from…

Leh: Ladakh is witnessing a sharp rise in tourist arrivals this year, with the Union Territory recording 4.05 lakh visitors in the first eight months of 2026, surpassing the total tourist footfall recorded during the whole of 2025. According to tourism figures shared by the Ladakh administration, the Union Territory recorded 3.35 lakh tourist arrivals in the entire year 2025. In comparison, 4.05 lakh tourists visited Ladakh between January and August 2026, exceeding last year’s annual figure by 20.61 per cent. The latest figures indicate a strong recovery and continued expansion of Ladakh’s tourism sector, with both domestic and international…

Leh: Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati was on Wednesday sworn in as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh at a ceremony held at the Shalimar Auditorium of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Kashmir. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena administered the oath of office to Justice Bhati in the presence of senior members of the judiciary, the elected government and the civil and police administration. The ceremony commenced with the rendition of the national song, followed by the National Anthem. The Registrar General of the High Court then read out the warrant…

Kargil: Police Station Kargil has worked out a shop theft case within approximately 10 hours of receiving information, recovering cash and other articles allegedly purchased with the stolen money. According to a police press release, the case came to light after Mohd Ibrahim, a resident of Naqtoo Baroo, reported that some persons had entered his shop and decamped with cash amounting to Rs. 90,000. Police registered a case and launched an investigation. CCTV footage from the shop and surrounding areas, including possible exit routes, was examined. During the investigation, certain individuals were noticed in the footage and were subsequently identified…

Leh: The 25th anniversary of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan was celebrated with enthusiasm and a renewed commitment to the spirit of service under the leadership of BJP State President Tashi Gyaltson Khachu at Sheynam Community Hall, Leh, Ladakh. The silver-jubilee programme brought together senior office-bearers, representatives, coordinators and grassroots functionaries associated with the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan to commemorate 25 years of dedicated service and social engagement. Shri O. P. Dhankar, National Coordinator of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, attended the programme as the Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, Shri Dhankar congratulated the organisers, office-bearers and volunteers on completing 25 years of the…

Leh: : More than 150 young people from Leh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yesterday under the leadership of BJP State President Tashi Gyaltson Khachu, reaffirming their support for the party and its vision for the development of Ladakh. Welcoming the new members into the party, the BJP leadership said that the growing participation of youth reflects their confidence in the party’s policies and its commitment towards the aspirations and development needs of the people of Ladakh. The newly joined members expressed their belief that the BJP government will work towards addressing the long-pending demands of Ladakh and fulfilling…

KARGIL, September 3: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena visited the historic Heritage Village of Hunderman near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kargil and reviewed ongoing efforts to develop it as a major border and heritage tourism destination. During the visit, the LG emphasised the unique potential of Hunderman, citing its strategic location, rich history and distinctive heritage. He said the village should be made more accessible to visitors and positioned prominently on Ladakh’s tourism map. Shri Saxena reviewed the ongoing “Exploring LOC and Hunderman Village Experience” project, which includes a LoC viewpoint, parking area, integrated amenity…

Leh: The Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh on Monday posted Fulzele Piyush Nirakar, IPS (AGMUT:2015) as the new SSP, District Leh, with immediate effect. As per Order No. 75-Home of 2026 issued by the Ladakh Home Department, Fulzele has been relieved of his charge as SSP, Security & Police Telecommunication, and directed to take over as SSP, District Leh from the outgoing incumbent. Shree Raam Raghavan, IPS (AGMUT:2019), who was serving as SSP, District Leh, has been relieved of his duties in the UT Administration with effect from August 31, 2026 (A/N). He has been directed to report…

By Bharat Nanda There are days when seemingly separate developments come together to tell a larger story. Thursday was one such day for Ladakh. In New Delhi, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him on the progress of key developmental initiatives, infrastructure projects and the implementation of Central welfare schemes in the Union Territory. Back in Ladakh, Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra placed before the people a wide-ranging account of measures concerning recruitment, land reforms, tourism, administrative decentralisation and the region’s evolving democratic architecture. The timing was significant. At one end was Ladakh’s Lieutenant…

Leh: BJP Ladakh State President Tashi Gyaltson Khachu on behalf of BJP Ladakh has welcomed the UT Administration of Ladakh’s decision to reclassify Hotels, Guest Houses, Resorts and Homestays from the Commercial (Hotel/Resort) category to the Industrial category for electricity tariff purposes. He thanked the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor and the UT Administration for this important pro-tourism decision, which will reduce the electricity cost burden on the hospitality sector from September 1, 2026. Khachu also congratulated the people of Ladakh and the tourism fraternity, saying the decision will provide much-needed support to tourism establishments, strengthen the local economy and create a…

Leh: In a first in the country, Ladakh has introduced a fixed 4% horizontal reservation for Outstanding Sportspersons in direct recruitment to Group ‘C’ non-gazetted government posts. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved the reservation under the Ladakh Sports Policy, 2026, making Ladakh the first Union Territory to provide a specified 4% reservation for sportspersons in government jobs. The Ladakh Administration has subsequently notified the Union Territory of Ladakh Outstanding Sportspersons (Horizontal Reservation in Direct Recruitment to Group ‘C’ Non-Gazetted Posts) Rules, 2026, laying down the eligibility and selection framework. The reservation will cover sportspersons who have represented a State…

Leh: Administrative Secretary, PWD/R&B, UT Ladakh, Baseer-ul-Haq Choudhary, today chaired separate review meetings to assess the progress of major infrastructure projects being executed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Public Works Department (PWD) and Central Public Works Department (CPWD) across Ladakh. The meetings focused on physical and financial progress, pending works, land acquisition, clearances, fund utilisation, liabilities, completion timelines and field-level bottlenecks. Reviewing BRO projects, the Administrative Secretary directed the concerned officers to expedite ongoing works, ensure timely processing of DPRs, land acquisition and wildlife clearance proposals, and reconcile all financial figures before submitting proposals. He stressed that avoidable delays…

Leh, August 14: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, in his Independence Day message, extended his greetings to the people of Ladakh and the country, paying tribute to the freedom fighters, armed forces and security personnel who made sacrifices in the service of the nation. Saxena said Independence Day was not only an occasion to celebrate freedom but also an opportunity to reaffirm India’s commitment to unity, strength and development. He said India’s resolve was to become a developed nation and the world’s second-largest economy by 2047, stressing the need to ensure that welfare schemes reach the most vulnerable sections while…

Leh: More than 2,950 free-ranging dogs (FRDs) have been sterilised in Ladakh as part of a conservation effort to protect the region’s Black-necked Cranes (BNCs), whose breeding grounds are increasingly facing pressure from stray dog populations, habitat disturbance and growing human activity. The initiative, led by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in collaboration with the Indian Army, Animal Husbandry Department and Department of Forest, Ecology & Environment, has been underway since 2022 in areas frequented by the endangered alpine bird. Free-ranging dogs have been reported to prey on BNC eggs and chicks and disturb nesting birds, affecting their breeding…

Jammu, Aug 13: Two earthquakes of moderate magnitude jolted the Union Territory of Ladakh within a span of nearly four hours on Thursday, triggering fear among residents. According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the first and stronger tremor, measuring 5.5 magnitude, struck at 6.05 am, with its epicentre located at a latitude of 36.88 degrees north and longitude of 74.402 degrees east. It occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres in Ladakh’s Leh, it said. Another earthquake of 4.3 magnitude occurred at 9.54 am, at latitude 36.76 degrees north and longitude of 75.326 degrees east, also at a…

Leh, Aug 7: In view of the recent spate of landslides and rockfalls that have caused widespread damage in villages and disrupted traffic on major roads, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.) on Friday chaired a high-level review meeting with senior officials of the Army, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the Union Territory Administration to assess disaster preparedness and immediate preventive measures. Chaired a high-level review meeting with the Army, BRO, and UT Administration on disaster preparedness and immediate preventive measures, in wake of frequent landslides and rockfalls in Ladakh in recent days which has caused large…

Leh: Ladakh Police has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a fair, transparent and technology-driven recruitment process for 40 Sub-Inspector posts, with a total of 7,028 candidates applying from across the Union Territory. According to the Ladakh Police Subordinate Service Recruitment Board, the recruitment process incorporates advanced technology and multiple verification mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability. These include biometric verification, digital height and chest measurements, RFID chip-based timing for endurance races, and comprehensive CCTV surveillance at every stage of the recruitment process. An Independent Observer nominated by the General Administration Department (GAD), Ladakh, is also overseeing the proceedings at the…

Leh, August 5: The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Ladakh has seized 12.46 grams of heroin from a vehicle during a drug interception operation at NH-3, Kharu, and arrested three persons in connection with the case. Officials said the ANTF team intercepted a Bolero vehicle at Kharu, where a search led to the recovery of heroin. The seized contraband weighed 12.46 grams. The arrested individuals have been identified as Stanzin Gendun, Kamal, and Sonam Gyaltson. A case under FIR No. 10/2026 under Sections 8/21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered, and further investigation has been…

Leh: Seven years after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35(A), leaders on Wednesday highlighted the transformation journey of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, underlining progress in infrastructure, governance, education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and empowerment of marginalised communities. On the occasion of Ladakh Union Territory Declaration Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that August 5, 2019, marked a “decisive new chapter” in the history of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, with the full application of the Constitution of India bringing new opportunities and rights to people who had been deprived of them for decades. In a post on X, the…

By Sindhiya Gupta The Union Territory of Ladakh is passing through one of the most significant administrative and political transformations in its modern history. Since becoming a Union Territory in October 2019, Ladakh has witnessed a series of reforms intended to improve governance, accelerate development and bring public services closer to people living across one of India’s most geographically challenging regions. The latest proposal to establish Autonomous Hill Development Councils in all seven districts of Ladakh is not merely another administrative measure. It is a landmark step towards institutionalising democratic decentralisation and ensuring that every region receives equal opportunities for…