One year after tragic violence resulting in the death of four civilians during protests, the Himalayan region of Ladakh is preparing to mark the anniversary with a series of solemn memorial observances.
The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)—the joint coalition spearheading the agitation for statehood and Constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule—have scheduled a symbolic march and tribute ceremonies for September 23 and 24. The events will honour the four young civilians who lost their lives on September 24, 2025, during clashes with security forces in Leh.
Organisers had originally planned a week-long foot march (Padyatra) spanning across the rugged terrain between Kargil and Leh. However, citing harsh weather, plummeting nocturnal temperatures, and delicate political considerations, political leaders modified the schedule.
Climate activist and member Apex Body Leh, Sonam Wangchuk, said that calling off the protests was due to the prevailing weather conditions and some warmth in politics.
“Due to prevailing weather conditions with cold nights, we’re making it into a symbolic 20 Km march on 23rd September. followed by martyrs’ day event on 24th. Inconvenience regretted, look forward to joining you and marching together,” Sonam Wangchuk said in a post on X.
The upcoming observances mark one of the darkest chapters in the recent history of the Union Territory. On September 24 last year, a long-standing peaceful movement demanding statehood, land rights and constitutional safeguards, turned violent. Protesters gathered in Leh, leading to clashes with security personnel, stone-pelting, and arson resulting in the deaths of four youths and injuring nearly 90 others in the alleged security forces action.
In the aftermath, prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA), and the region was plunged into months of political tension.
On September 23, activist Sonam Wangchuk, joined by Apex body and community leaders, will lead a condensed 20-kilometer symbolic march through the Leh valley. A similar peaceful march will be held in Kargil under the banner of KDA.
On September 24, a dedicated Martyrs’ day event will be held in Leh and replicated across major towns in Kargil. The tribute programs on September 24 will include interfaith prayers, candlelit vigils, a moment of silence across major town centres, and wreath-laying ceremonies to honour the four deceased men.
Beyond the memorial services, local leaders are framing the day as a rally for justice. While the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh recently announced financial assistance packages for affected families, representative bodies in both districts have criticized the compensation as inadequate.
Speaking ahead of the anniversary, political representatives from both the LAB and KDA reiterated their key demands including Judicial Inquiry – a formal, independent judicial probe into the circumstances that led to security forces opening fire on protesters.
They also demanded the complete withdrawal of all criminal cases registered against local youth arrested during the 2025 unrest. Restitution ranging from Rs 1 Cr to Rs 1.5 Cr for families of the deceased, alongside enhanced support for the severely injured is another key demand.’’
Meanwhile, arrangements are being put in place across both Leh and Kargil districts to maintain order during the gatherings. Civil society organisations have issued appeals for calm, emphasising that the September 24 observances should reflect peace, dignity, and unity across the cold-desert region.
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