Ladakh Drops Cases Against Protesters Day Before September 24 Anniversary

The Ladakh administration has withdrawn cases against all the accused in the violence and rioting in Leh last year. The decision has been taken a day before the first anniversary of the killing of four protesters during the statehood protests. The UT administration had said the decision is "a significant step towards fostering peace, public tranquillity, and social harmony in Ladakh".Ladakhi groups have started a march for constitutional safeguards and democracy in the region and homage will be paid to victims of security forces firing in Leh on Thursday. On the eve of the anniversary, Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has approved the withdrawal of criminal cases against 20 people who were facing charges of violence, rioting and attacking security forces and burning official property."The cases have been withdrawn under Section 360 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, on the recommendation of Ladakh Police following a comprehensive review of the status…