Ladakh Administration Approves Rs 1.52 Crore Compensation for Leh Violence Victims

The Ladakh administration has sanctioned a total of Rs 1.52 crore in compensation for victims of the violent protests that occurred in Leh on September 24, 2025. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announced the relief package on Sunday, fulfilling a primary demand of the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, which have been leading a sustained agitation for constitutional safeguards and statehood for the Union Territory.

Under the approved measures, the next of kin of the four individuals who died during the police firing will receive Rs 15 lakh each. Additionally, the administration has allocated Rs 72 lakh for 24 individuals who sustained major injuries, providing Rs 3 lakh per person, and Rs 20 lakh for 20 individuals with minor injuries, at Rs 1 lakh per person. Officials noted that because the Union Territory lacked a pre-existing policy for compensation in cases of public unrest or rioting, the administration conducted a specific review to facilitate this humanitarian assistance.

The violence in September 2025 followed a period of intense agitation by student and youth organizations, triggered after two elderly protesters fainted during a hunger strike initiated by activist Sonam Wangchuk. The subsequent police firing resulted in four deaths and left 44 others injured. In the immediate aftermath, authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions, suspended mobile internet services, and registered FIRs against 87 individuals, including Wangchuk, who was subsequently detained in Jodhpur jail until March 2026.

The announcement follows recent sub-committee level discussions between officials from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and representatives from Ladakh. These talks have marked a shift in the negotiation process, with the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance moving away from their initial demands for full statehood and the Sixth Schedule. The groups are currently engaged in dialogue with the Centre regarding the establishment of a Union Territory-level elected body and potential constitutional safeguards under Article 371.

As part of a broader confidence-building effort, the Centre previously replaced the former Lieutenant Governor, Kavinder Gupta, and police chief S.D. Singh Jamwal. Vinai Kumar Saxena, who assumed office in March 2026, stated that finalizing this compensation package was a priority for his administration. The government has indicated that it is also working toward withdrawing cases against protesters arrested during the 2025 demonstrations, a move that remains a key component of the ongoing reconciliation process.