When the BJP revoked Article 370 and made Ladakh a Union Territory, Buddhist-majority Leh celebrated, hopeful that the move would empower locals to govern their region. Among those expressing gratitude was Sonam Wangchuk, the engineer-turned-educator and climate activist.

But six years on, the dream has soured. Killings over demands for constitutional safeguards have plunged the region into grief, fear, and anger.

Insecurity grips Ladakh, as the UT is without a legislature, leaving people without proper representation.

To fight for their rights, two regional groups—the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)—came together, uniting Buddhist-majority Leh and Muslim-majority Kargil. Their demands include protection under the Sixth Schedule, statehood, guarantees for jo

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