Leh, 24 Sept

Four people were killed and 30 others injured in intense clashes between protesters and security personnel during the Leh Apex Body (LAB) sponsored shutdown in Leh town of Ladakh on Wednesday, officials said.

Police had to reportedly resort to firing to bring the situation under control after the protesters, who have launched an agitation for statehood for Ladakh and extension of the Sixth Schedule, indulged in widespread violence, attacking a BJP office and several vehicles, they said.

Four people were killed and 30 others injured in intense clashes, the officials said. The protesters claimed that the four people were killed in police firing.

The Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) youth wing called for the protest after two of the 15 people, who were on a 35-day hunger strike since 10 September in support of the demand for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule, were shifted to a hospital after their condition deteriorated on Tuesday evening.

Following the violence, authorities promulgated prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in Leh district of Ladakh, banning assembly of five or more persons following a movement demanding statehood for Ladakh and extension of the Sixth Schedule took a violent turn on Wednesday.

The Leh Apex Body-led movement became violent, setting on fire the BJP office and several vehicles by hundreds of people who took to the streets. Flames and dark smoke clouds could be seen from afar amid a complete shutdown in the Ladakh capital.

Under section 163 of the BNSS, he said, no procession, rally or march shall be carried out without the prior written approval of the competent authority.