Jammu: The Judicial Commission constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to investigate the circumstances that led to the September 24 violence in Leh, which claimed four civilian lives and left around 90 injured, will begin its proceedings in the Union Territory from Saturday.
According to a notification issued by the Department of Law and Justice, Leh, the Commission headed by Justice B.S. Chauhan will hold hearings in Melongthang, Leh, from October 25 to 28. The panel will record statements and testimonies of individuals and stakeholders connected with the incident.
“The Commission will be conducting a judicial inquiry regarding the September 24 incident that occurred in Leh town,” the notification said, urging all “interested and aggrieved persons” to appear before the Commission to record their statements.
The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Leh, has been directed “to monitor all the security measures to be taken concerning the Inquiry Proceedings scheduled to be held from October 25 and provide appropriate security at the location”.
The Power Development Department (PDD) Leh, has been directed to ensure the uninterrupted electricity during the Inquiry Proceedings scheduled.
“In this regard, the Department may depute the concerned Junior Engineer to carry out any necessary repair and maintenance works, to avoid any disruption during the Inquiry Proceedings,” it said.
Four civilians were killed and around 90 were injured during the protests on September 24, fuelling tension and anger in the region.
It was followed by the arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on September 26 and the imposition of several spells of curfew and internet outage.
Meanwhile, Leh Apex Body (LAB) co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakruk has reiterated the demand for inclusion of a local representative in the commission to ensure “fairness and transparency in the proceedings”.
“We have come to know that the Judicial Commission will set up its office in Leh. We reiterate our demand for inclusion of a local representative in the Commission to ensure fairness in the proceedings,” he said.
