The Centre on Friday moved to address a key demand of protesting groups in Ladakh by announcing a judicial inquiry led by retired Supreme Court judge Justice B.S. Chauhan into the September 24 Leh clashes that left four people dead, including a 1999 Kargil war veteran.
According to a Union Home Ministry notification, the judicial commission will investigate “the circumstances leading to the serious law and order situation, the police action and the resultant unfortunate deaths of four people.”
“The government stands committed to the aspiration of the people of Ladakh,” the Home Ministry said in its statement.
High-Level Panel to Lead Probe
Justice B.S. Chauhan will head the inquiry, with retired district and sessions judge Mohan Singh Parihar appointed as judicial secretary. IAS officer Tushar Anand will serve as the administrative secretary.
The appointment of a former Supreme Court judge fulfills the protesters’ demand for an impartial, high-level judicial investigation.
The September 24 clashes broke out between security forces and protesters demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for the Union Territory. Four civilians were killed and 90 injured, intensifying a months-long agitation.
Talks Expected to Resume with Apex Ladakh Bodies
The announcement comes as the government seeks to revive dialogue with the Leh Apex Body (ABL) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which had suspended talks with the high-powered committee (HPC) after the violence.
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Talks were scheduled for October 6 but were called off after a police crackdown and the detention of several protesters.
Among those arrested was climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was booked under the National Security Act (NSA) and shifted to Jodhpur jail two days after the incident. The groups demanded the immediate release of all detainees and an end to alleged harassment by the local administration.
“The government has always been open for dialogues at any time, and it would continue to welcome discussions with ABL and KDA,” the Home Ministry reiterated.
Protesters’ Demands: Statehood and Sixth Schedule
The key issues on the table remain constitutional safeguards and greater political autonomy for Ladakh, which became a Union Territory in 2019.
The protesters have called for full statehood with its own legislative assembly, protection of land and culture through Autonomous District Councils, two Lok Sabha seats, and a dedicated recruitment body to reduce unemployment among local youth.
Their demands also include job reservations for Ladakh residents and protection of the region’s fragile ecosystem.
“Continuous dialogue will yield the desired results in the near future,” the ministry added.
Judicial Inquiry Seen as Turning Point
The judicial inquiry is expected to pave the way for talks to resume between Ladakh’s apex bodies and the Centre. It also marks the first major confidence-building measure since the violent September clashes.
The Centre hopes this move will ease tensions, restart negotiations, and bring a political solution to the long-standing demands of the region.
