Leh protest enters third day; Hunger strike intensifies as KDA joins stir

The protest in Leh entered its third day on Saturday with a group of people starting a hunger strike to press for their demands of statehood, constitutional safeguards, reviewing of excise policy and resumption of result oriented dialogue with New Delhi.

The members of Apex Body Leh and some of the religious leaders will continue to remain on hunger strike overnight, while around 40 volunteers observed hunger strike during the day. The members of Kargil Democratic Alliance led by Sajjad Kargili also participated in the protests in Leh aand addressed the gathering. However, they were not allowed to meet Sonam Wangchuk who has been placed under house arrest. The authorities have imposed restrictions on any sort of protests in Ladakh in the wake of panchayat elections scheduled on November 21 and Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council elections to be held on December 4.

"Our protests will continue till our demands are not met. At least 15 of us will continue hunger strike overnight. We have not got any formal communication from MHA or central government regarding the resumption of talks or defferment of elections," Chering Dorjay Lakruk, co-chairman of ABL told ET. He further said that theybeant result oriented dialogue process to resume between the representatives of Ladakh and MHA.


The ABL and KDA have demanded defferment of elections stating that a major section of population has migrated from Ladakh, who will not be able to participate in the democratic exercise. The Ladakh MP Mohamad Haneefa has also written to union Home Minister, demanding the deferment of elections.

"Our ancestors have made these mountains livable and we have fought for this land. We will not forgo our right and keep striving to achieve what we aspire for," said Kargili, adding, "we will make sure to stand on the right side of history."

The KDA co-chairman condemned "bureaucratic authoritarianism in Ladakh" calling for the restoration of democracy, protection of land and identity and justice for those killed during the September 24, 2025 protests.

"We have to stand united. Ladakh and people of Ladakh are here to stay but bureaucrats and political powers will keep coming and going," said Kargili.