Author: The Dispatch Staff

Leh: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested Friday by a police party here, two days after violent protests by supporters of the movement for statehood and extension of Sixth Schedule of Constitution left four persons dead and 90 others injured, officials said. Wangchuk was taken into custody by the police party led Ladakh DGP S D Singh Jamwal at 2.30 pm, the officials said. It was not immediately clear aboyt the charges pressed against Wangchuk. The home ministry had blamed Wangchuk, a senior member of Leh Apex Body (LAB) which along with Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) is spearheading the agitation…

Leh: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, has termed the recent violence in Leh as a “conspiracy” and assured that all those responsible — including alleged outside elements — have been identified and will face strict action. Talking to a news agency  after violent protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status left four dead and nearly a hundred injured on September 24, Gupta said the administration was committed to restoring peace and protecting Ladakh’s future. “The videos that have surfaced show that an attempt was made to incite a peaceful atmosphere. Only after that such action was taken. We don’t…

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…

Leh: Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday firmly denied the Bharatiya Janata Party’s allegations that the ongoing agitation for statehood and Sixth Schedule status was being “fuelled” by the Congress, while also accusing the Centre of targeting him with a “series of witch-hunts” after violent protests in Leh this week. The controversy erupted after BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya accused Congress councillor Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag of “instigating” protestors who stormed the BJP office in Leh on Wednesday. Sharing images on X, Malviya said the unrest was being stoked by the Congress. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey also blamed Rahul Gandhi…

LEH, September 26 — The Force Ibex Battalion, under the aegis of the Fire and Fury Corps, successfully conducted a 12-day Army Attachment Camp for NCC girl cadets of the 1 Ladakh Battalion NCC at Phyang. A total of 45 cadets attended the camp, which ran from September 15 to 26, 2025. During the camp, cadets actively participated in a range of activities designed to develop physical fitness, discipline, and operational awareness. These included physical training, drill, rock craft, weapon handling, and visits to key Army installations in the region. Officials noted that the programme provided a rare opportunity…

LEH, September 26:  To mark World Rivers Day, celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday of September, a cleanliness drive was conducted along the Indus and Zanskar Rivers at Sangam, Leh. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about the critical importance of rivers and encourage community stewardship to protect and preserve these vital water resources. Local residents actively participated in the drive, collecting waste and removing debris from riverbanks, while officials emphasised the role of rivers in sustaining livelihoods, ecosystems, and cultural heritage in Ladakh. The event also included discussions on environmental conservation and sustainable practices, inspiring participants to take…

LEH, September 26: In a unique initiative to promote sportsmanship and provide opportunities for youth in remote border areas, the Fire and Fury Corps, under Operation Sadbhavana, organised a football tournament for schoolchildren of the Changthang region. The tournament, held from September 20 to 22, saw participation from 45 teams, including 21 girls’ teams, showcasing the growing enthusiasm for sports among young residents. Matches were played on the highest astro turf in the region, located at an altitude exceeding 14,000 feet, challenging participants to combine skill with stamina in the thin mountain air. Officials noted that the event…

LEH, September 26: Under Operation Sadbhavana, students from Bogdang village in Nubra Valley, Ladakh, visited Uttarakhand and met with Lt Gen Gurmeet Singh, Governor of the state. The Governor described the interaction as enriching, noting the students’ curiosity, enthusiasm, and eagerness to explore India’s diverse cultural and spiritual heritage. Initiatives such as these aim to foster a spirit of national integration, cultural understanding, and mutual respect. Through exposure visits, students from remote regions gain firsthand experience of India’s heritage, interact with peers and officials, and broaden their perspectives beyond their local communities. Officials observed that these programmes create…

Leh: The Ladakh Territorial Congress Committee has formally demanded a judicial inquiry into the tragic incident that took place in Leh on September 24, which resulted in the deaths of four young men and injuries to over 54 people during police firing. In a letter addressed to Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta, Congress leader Nawang Rigzin Jora expressed deep sorrow over the incident, while condemning both the violence by protesters and the allegedly harsh response by authorities. Jora stated that the situation could have been managed with greater restraint, patience, and maturity, suggesting that the escalation might have been avoided with…

Leh: The Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of LAHDC Leh, Tashi Gyalson, has expressed profound grief over the tragic incident on 24th September 2025, which claimed the lives of four young people and left several others injured. Extending his deepest condolences to the bereaved families, Tashi Gyalson assured that all possible assistance and support will be provided to the families of the deceased and the injured. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those hurt in the violence. The CEC described the incident as deeply unfortunate, noting that what began as a peaceful expression of democratic concerns unexpectedly escalated into…

LEH, September 25: A delegation of 30 students and six teachers from Nubra Valley set out on a National Integration Tour to Dehradun, visiting prestigious institutions including the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), and Forest Research Institute (FRI). The tour was flagged off by the Fire and Fury Corps, aimed at fostering awareness, unity, and national pride among the youth of Nubra Valley. Officials noted that such exposure visits allow students from remote high-altitude regions to experience India’s rich cultural, educational, and institutional heritage firsthand. By interacting with experts, cadets, and peers at these institutions,…

Leh: The Ministry of Home Affairs has held Sonam Wangchuk directly responsible for inciting violence in Leh, saying his provocative statements misled people and triggered the unrest that left several injured and public property damaged. According to officials, Wangchuk had started a hunger strike on September 10, demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule. The Centre said these issues were already under active discussion with the Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance through the High-Powered Committee (HPC), sub-committee, and multiple informal meetings. The dialogue process, the ministry noted, had already yielded results—raising reservations for Scheduled Tribes…

Leh: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, on Wednesday condemned the violence in Leh town that left several people dead and many injured, including security personnel, and said those responsible will soon be identified and brought to justice. Expressing deep grief over the tragic deaths, Gupta conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. He took serious note of the stone-pelting and arson incidents that created a law-and-order situation and caused damage to democratic institutions and public infrastructure. The LG directed the administration and law-enforcement agencies to take strict measures for the restoration…

Leh: In a major boost to Ladakh’s power sector, the Centre has cleared a Revised Cost Estimate-II (RCE-II) of Rs 1,925.28 crore for intra-state transmission projects under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP-2015). The approval, conveyed by the Union Ministry of Power, gives administrative and financial sanction for the balance works of critical transmission lines in the Union Territory. The move addresses a long-pending demand for reliable electricity in remote valleys of Ladakh. Two major projects are set to benefit from the sanction – the 220 kV Phyang-Diskit (Nubra) line and the 220 kV Drass-Padum (Zanskar) line. Originally awarded in…

LEH, September 25: Troops of the Fire and Fury Corps and personnel from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) conducted a joint high-altitude training exercise at Chumar, aimed at enhancing interoperability and fostering mutual trust in challenging frontier terrain. The training brought together soldiers from both forces to undertake coordinated drills, tactical exercises, and operational simulations under harsh environmental conditions. Officials noted that such joint initiatives strengthen professional camaraderie, refine operational readiness, and ensure seamless cooperation during real-time border deployments. Describing the exercise as a celebration of courage and shared commitment to the nation, commanders emphasised that collaboration between…

Leh: The Apex Youth and Religious Youth bodies on Monday announced a complete shutdown in Leh on Tuesday in support of the ongoing agitation for Ladakh’s key demands. Addressing a joint press conference, the groups said that if no positive response comes by tomorrow, the protest may escalate into street demonstrations. The leaders maintained they were not concerned about FIRs and urged youth associations in villages to ensure closure of shops across Leh. People have also been requested to gather at the NDS Memorial. Meanwhile, two elderly participants of the hunger strike, now on its 14th day, were admitted to…

LEH, September 23 — A 91-kilometre road connecting Hanle to the border village of Chumar, constructed by Project Himank of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), has been opened to the public in Ladakh. The route traverses extreme high-altitude terrain, ranging from 14,500 to 17,200 feet, including the challenging Salsa La Pass. Officials noted that the road provides critical strategic connectivity for the Armed Forces along the border while also facilitating local travel and tourism. Key attractions along the route, such as Hanle Observatory, Kyun Tso Lake, Chilling Tso Lake, and onward access to Tso Moriri, are now more accessible…

LEH/KARGIL, September 22: In the serene Aryan Valley, the Indian Army, under Operation Sadbhavana, conducted medical camps in the remote border villages of Hanu Yogma (Leh) on September 14 and Silmo (Kargil) on September 21. The initiative aimed to foster unity, provide essential healthcare, and support national development in these high-altitude frontier areas. A team of medical experts and specialists in dental, ophthalmology, and general medicine attended to a wide range of health concerns, providing consultations, treatments, and guidance. In addition, the camps distributed essential healthcare aids including UV-protective sunglasses, lumbar belts, medicines, walking sticks, wheelchairs, and other life-saving…

DRAS, September 22 — The much-awaited Dras Inter School Quiz Competition 2025 for students of classes 6 to 9 was held at the Army Goodwill School, Dras. The event brought together 32 enthusiastic participants from various schools across the region, showcasing their knowledge, quick thinking, and teamwork. The competition was keenly contested, with Army Goodwill School, Dras, securing the top position, while Hemabase Public School finished a close second. Teachers and organisers praised the students’ enthusiasm, confidence, and the spirit of healthy competition that made the event a success. Officials noted that such competitions not only enhance learning…

LEH, September 21: As part of Operation Sadbhavana, the Indian Army organised a medical camp and basic first aid training session for residents of Bimbat and nearby remote villages in Ladakh. The initiative aimed to provide essential healthcare support and equip community members with life-saving skills. Army Medical Officers conducted comprehensive health check-ups, offering guidance on common ailments, hygiene practices, and preventive care. In addition, participants were trained in basic first aid techniques, enabling them to respond effectively to emergencies in their villages where access to immediate medical facilities can be limited. Officials noted that such programmes strengthen…