Leh Apex Body calls for silent march, blackout in Ladakh on Oct 18

Leh, Oct 16 (PTI) The Leh Apex Body (LAB) has called for a two-hour silent march and three-hour blackout across Ladakh on October 18 to express solidarity with the families of the four persons who lost their lives in widespread violence last month, besides those critically injured in the incident.

The peaceful demonstration is also to protest against the delay in the release of the detained youth, LAB said in a statement here.

On Tuesday, LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) announced fresh protests in support of their demand for statehood and safeguards under the sixth schedule of the Constitution and reiterated their conditions, including a judicial inquiry into last month’s violence, for restarting talks with New Delhi.

"After an emergency meeting, the LAB has decided to go ahead with its silent two-hour protest from Namgiyal Chowk to Shanti Stupa in Leh at 11 am and a three-hour blackout the same day from 6 pm to convey a message to the outside world that Ladakh is peaceful and united," the LAB said.

It noted that similar protests will be held in Kargil and at block levels across Ladakh. "There will be no placards or slogans and speeches." During the march, the LAB said the participants would wear black armbands on their hands as a sign of "resistance, anger, and solidarity" with the victims.

The LAB also appealed to the public to avoid using music systems and traditional instruments like Daman and Surna during marriage or other ceremonies for the next three months as a mark of mourning. PTI TAS TAS MPL MPL