Kargil, Sep 25, KNT: The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on Thursday demanded a judicial probe into the firing incident in Leh that claimed four civilian lives and left over a dozen injured. The demand was made during a press conference addressed by former legislator and senior KDA leader Asghar Ali Karbalai amid a complete shutdown in Kargil.
Karbalai said the people of Ladakh have every right to know on whose orders security forces opened fire on protesters. “Four innocent civilians have been killed, and 12 others are still critical in hospitals. Instead of showing remorse, the government has launched a witch hunt, arresting people and raiding homes where youth are being beaten. This is unacceptable. Stop harassing protesters and their families. Dialogue is the only way forward. Do not disturb the fragile peace of Ladakh,” he said.
The KDA leader accused the Union Government of betraying Ladakhis by ignoring their long-standing demands. “For the last five years, Ladakh has been protesting in favour of a four-point program: statehood, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, job security, and reservation safeguards. In 2019, our political and democratic rights were snatched away, and our land and jobs were left vulnerable. Despite several rounds of talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs, nothing concrete has been delivered, only empty assurances,” Karbalai as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust stated.
He revealed that since May 27 there had been no contact between Ladakhi leadership and the MHA. “The people of Ladakh have been left helpless. Everyone knows we believe in peace, yet even after a 14-day hunger strike during which two elders fainted, the Centre remained silent. It was only after violence broke out that the MHA reacted, assuring talks on October 6. This silence and delay are testing the patience of Ladakhis,” he said.
Condemning the police action in Leh, Karbalai said the reaction was brutal and disproportionate. “Firing point-blank at protesters cannot be justified under any circumstances. Till today, nobody knows on whose orders bullets were fired. We will never forget the sacrifices of the four civilians killed in Leh. Their blood will not go in vain, and Ladakh will continue to demand justice,” he said.
The KDA appealed to the Ministry of Home Affairs to immediately order a transparent investigation into the killings and to stop what it termed the harassment of protesters and their families. “We want peace, not bloodshed. The government must act responsibly and open the doors for genuine dialogue rather than repression,” Karbalai said.
The shutdown in Kargil witnessed deserted markets, closed businesses, and no traffic on roads as locals expressed solidarity with the families of those killed. [KNT
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