Ladakh: Restrictions continue in Leh under Section 163 of BNSS

LEH: Restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) remain in place in Leh on Saturday, following recent violence during protests demanding statehood for Ladakh.

According to the official order, assembly of five or more persons is banned in the district. No procession, rally or march is to be carried out without prior written approval. Security personnel have been deployed in the area.

On September 24, violence broke out in Leh during the protests, when the local BJP office was set on fire. Four people died in the clashes. Two days later, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA). He has been accused of “inciting violence”. Wangchuk’s family has also confirmed his “arrest”.

#WATCH | Leh, Ladakh | People go on with their daily lives amid heavy security deployment as prohibitions under Sec 163 of BNSS, 2023 continue to be imposed in Leh following the violence here on Sept 24. Assembly of five or more persons is banned in the district. No procession,… pic.twitter.com/5RujPOR7qt

— ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2025

The activist has been pressing for Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which relates to the administration of tribal areas and advocates for the creation of autonomous district councils. On Thursday, Wangchuk said that “he would be happy to be arrested” because it would make people aware of the issue.

“After violence, all the blame was put on Sonam Wangchuk. I also got information that a case under the Public Safety Act is being prepared against me, which would allow them to jail me for up to two years without trial or bail,” Wangchuk said.

“I would be happy to be arrested anytime because it will make people more aware, rather than me being outside the jail. People will see that the man who brought pride to the country is in jail and will understand how the country is governed. Perhaps, this will be the last series of my service to the country,” he added.

The opposition slammed the BJP-led government over Wangchuk’s arrest. The Congress accused the centre of “mishandling” the situation in Ladakh, while AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said that the arrest was “dictatorship at its peak”. (ANI)