Amnesty International has demanded an immediate and impartial investigation into the use of live ammunition during protests in Leh, Ladakh, which resulted in at least four fatalities and over fifty injuries. The human rights organization highlighted the need for a thorough inquiry to understand why non-lethal methods were not prioritized and to assess if the use of live rounds was necessary and proportionate.

The protests erupted against a backdrop of demands by local groups for statehood and constitutional safeguards for their land and employment rights. The situation escalated as demonstrators, who had been engaged in a peaceful protest, reportedly faced live fire from the police. The police defended their actions by stating that they were compelled to shoot in self-defense after some protesters turned violent, setting vehicles and a political party office on fire. This led to the imposition of a curfew and a temporary shutdown of mobile internet services in parts of Leh.

Aakar Patel, Chair of Amnesty International India’s board, emphasized the sanctity of peaceful assembly and protested against the indiscriminate use of firearms. "Any use of firearms in the context of an assembly must be an absolute last resort,” Patel stated, underscoring the unlawfulness of unchecked firearm use against protesters.

The call for statehood has been intensifying since Ladakh was designated as a Union Territory on October 31, 2019, following the reorganization of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. Initially, the separation was welcomed by many residents of Leh, but growing concerns about land protection, demographic shifts, and reduced local governance have fueled discontent. The strategic significance of Ladakh, positioned between Pakistan and China, along with environmental challenges like glacial melts and extreme weather, has amplified local calls for greater autonomy in development and environmental policies.

Notably, civic groups like the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance have been at the forefront of the statehood movement, organizing marches, sit-ins, and hunger strikes. Prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who recently ended a 14-day fast in response to the violence, was detained by authorities, further aggravating tensions.

The central government and Ladakh representatives are scheduled to engage in talks in early October to address these escalating issues. Amnesty International’s call for an inquiry aims to ensure that these discussions are informed by a clear understanding of the events and the adherence to human rights standards in handling protests.