Leh witnessed a violent turn of events during a large protest demanding the acceleration of talks with the Centre on extending the Sixth Schedule and granting statehood to Ladakh.

Police fired teargas shells and used baton charges after a group of youth allegedly became violent and began pelting stones.

The protest was called by the youth wing of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) following concerns over two hunger strikers being hospitalised. These two were part of a group of 15 people who had been on a 35-day hunger strike since September 10. The strike, led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, is part of the ongoing agitation in the region.

A fresh round of talks between the Centre and Ladakh representatives, including members of the LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), is scheduled for October 6.

During the protest, demonstrators set fire to a security vehicle outside the BJP office in Leh.

Authorities have deployed additional forces to maintain peace and restore order in the area.