In-Depth: Why is Ladakh angry and can it find inner peace again?

Protests in Ladakh for full statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule turned violent on September 24. In Leh, four people were killed and over 70 injured after a mob set fire to a BJP office and a CRPF vehicle, leading to the imposition of a curfew. Following the violence, activist Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent face of the agitation, was arrested under the National Security Act. The agitation stems from unfulfilled promises of development and autonomy since Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019. Wangchuk stated the violence was a result of youth frustration, saying, "On one hand, they have been jobless for the last five years... And democracy has been curtailed. Their demands have been unmet. So this frustration was penting inside." The Centre has also revoked the FCRA licence of an NGO founded by Wangchuk, citing financial irregularities.