In a dramatic escalation of tensions, violent clashes erupted in Leh, the capital of India’s Himalayan region of Ladakh, leaving at least four dead and dozens injured. The unrest, which occurred on Wednesday, saw protesters set fire to a local office of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a security vehicle, prompting Indian security forces to impose a curfew in the area. The protests, led by activist Sonam Wangchuk, are part of a long-standing demand for statehood and greater autonomy for Ladakh, a region that lost its semi-autonomous status in 2019 when the BJP government reorganized the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Leh region, predominantly Buddhist, has been advocating for separate statehood, while the Muslim-majority Kargil district seeks integration with Indian-administered Kashmir. Since 2019, both communities have united in their demand for restored statehood and job quotas. The government has accused Wangchuk of inciting violence, a claim he vehemently denies, stating that the unrest stems from years of frustration among unemployed youth. Wangchuk, a prominent activist and engineer known for his work on education and climate change, called off his hunger strike on Wednesday and appealed for calm, emphasizing that violence undermines their cause. The federal government has initiated an investigation into the violence and plans further talks with local leaders, though tensions remain high as the region grapples with its political future.