Samyukt Kisan Morcha
Press Release 21st October, 2025, New Delhi
SKM welcomes Judicial Enquiry on Ladakh Police Firing
Reiterates demands to repeal NSA; Release Sonam Wangchuk and other protesters
Accept Statehood & Status under 6th Schedule
Ensure employment, livelihood, No corporatisation of natural resources
SKM welcomes the decision of the Union Government to have a judicial enquiry by former Supreme Court judge Justice B S Chouhan into the “circumstances leading to the serious law and order situation, the police action and the resultant unfortunate death of four individuals” on 24th September 2025 in Leh. A Kargil war veteran also died in the police firing and the judicial enquiry was a crucial demand of the democratic movement of Ladakh people.
SKM congratulates the Apex Body, Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) that spearheading the people’s protest for taking the principled stand of no discussion with the Union government without announcing a probe into the police excesses on the people’s protest and also welcomes the decision to resume talks with the Union Government on 22nd October 2025. As per the reports, the dead bodies had multiple bullet wounds on torso and head. According to rules, police must use minimum force and if necessary then shots must be fired below the knee to disperse the unruly mob only if it threatens the life of common people and public properties and all measures to control it fail while handling democratic protests of the citizens. SKM had demanded a judicial enquiry on the violence and the police firing and strict legal actions against all those responsible for excesses.
SKM reiterates the demand for repeal of NSA and immediate release of Sonam Wangchuk, withdrawal of all cases against all the agitators, and grant status of Schedule 6 to people of Ladakh. Modi Govt. is serving the interests of the corporate forces above the interests of the people by misleadingly labelling the democratic movements and their patriotic leaders as anti-nationals and putting them in prison.
Ruling RSS-BJP has displayed utmost insensitivity in dealing with the issues of the sensitive border region, after dismantling the statehood of Jammu Kashmir and declaring Ladakh as a Union Territory. The long deprival has led to massive unemployment causing anger in the youth. Instead of generating employment and livelihood for the local people, the Union Government was on a corporate mission to hand over natural resources of Ladakh to the corporate houses.
SKM extends solidarity to the democratic movement of the people of Ladakh fighting for their rights for statehood, livelihood and democratic rights and to end bureaucratic authoritarianism in the administration of the Union Territory. The heroic struggle of the people of Ladakh is an integral part of larger struggles to protect democracy across India.
Issued by
Media Cell | Samyukt Kisan Morcha
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