The Ladakh administration announced on Wednesday that it has withdrawn criminal charges against 20 individuals linked to the violent incident in Leh on September 24 of last year. This violence resulted in the deaths of four people and left over 80 others injured.
Leading the protest march, Wangchuk said, “Today a march has been held in memory of those killed in indiscriminate police firing last year. We are remembering them and offering our tributes to them.” Four people who lost their lives in the violence were among the 20 against whom the cases were lodged. “In the larger interest of peace, public tranquillity, and social harmony in Ladakh, I have approved the withdrawal of criminal cases against 20 individuals, related to the unfortunate violence that erupted in Leh on September 24 last year. Following a comprehensive review, the Ladakh police recommended a closure report for 20 individuals in FIR no. 144/2005, registered at PS – Leh, under Section 360 of the BNSS,” Ladakh lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said in a post on X. Wangchuk was released on March 14 this year after nearly six months in detention.
The development came a day before the first anniversary of the incident. Following last year’s violence, the administration imposed a curfew and arrested several protesters, including Wangchuk, under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).
