SRINAGAR: The Leh Apex Body (LAB) has dismissed as “baseless and misleading” the claims of foreign involvement in the recent violence in Leh, asserting that the unrest stemmed from local grievances.
Ashraf Ali, a senior LAB member, said the protests that spiraled into violence on September 24 reflected growing frustration among the people of Ladakh and were not influenced by any external elements. “To portray the agitation as being orchestrated by foreign hands is not only untrue but also an insult to the people of Ladakh,” Ali said.
He noted that several non-local workers from Nepal, Doda, and other regions were caught up in the clashes, with many sustaining injuries. According to him, nearly 90 civilians were hurt during police action on the day of the violence.
Reiterating its demand for a judicial inquiry, LAB urged authorities to fix responsibility for the police firing. Four people lost their lives in the incident, including a 23-year-old student and a 42-year-old member of the Ladakh Scouts.
The body said attempts to divert attention by citing “foreign elements” would not help resolve the deeper issues that have fueled discontent in the region.
