Restrictions back in UT ahead of ‘silent peace march’

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday ordered a judicial inquiry by retired Supreme Court judge Justice BS Chauhan into the September 24 violence in Leh that left four persons dead and nearly 100 injured, the announcement coming on the eve of a “silent peace march” planned in Ladakh against the action by security personnel on protesters.

The MHA order said Justice Chauhan will be assisted by retired District and Sessions Judge Mohan Singh Parihar as judicial secretary and IAS officer Tushar Anand as administrative secretary. The development is expected to break the deadlock between the Centre and the two main groups representing the protesters — Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) — as a judicial probe was one of their main demands for resuming talks.

“In order to ensure an impartial inquiry, the Ministry of Home Affairs today notified a judicial inquiry to be conducted by former Supreme Court judge BS Chauhan into the circumstances leading to the serious law and order situation, police action and the resultant death of the four individuals,” a government statement said.

The Tribune had reported on October 6 that the Ladakh leaders had been assured of a judicial probe by the Centre through back-channel communication.

The government also said it was “always open to dialogue and will continue to welcome discussions with the LAB and the KDA through its high-powered committee on Ladakh or any other suitable platform”. “We are confident that continuous dialogue will yield the desired results in the near future. The government stands committed to the aspirations of the people of Ladakh,” the statement said.