The quiet city of Leh, home to Buddhist monks, is feeling an unusual silence this time. Markets closed. Taxis standing empty by the roadside. Deserted streets and 5 to 7 security personnel standing every 20 meters.

As soon as I exited the airport, I sat in one such taxi. Driver Ringzing was happy at heart to get a passenger, but sadness was clearly visible on his face. The first line he said to me was - Who has cast an evil eye on our Leh? As he said this, his voice choked.

When I asked about the violence that occurred last Wednesday, Ringzing said - We are all sad and angry too. Many movements have happened before, but never has a bullet been fired here. Everyone knows why the violence happened, but 4 families like ours have lost their children.

What happened on September 24 that the w

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