Kargil: The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and the Apex Body of Leh have jointly called for a peaceful, silent protest and a three-hour blackout across Ladakh on Saturday to express solidarity with the families of martyrs, those critically injured, and the youth currently under detention.
As per the organizers, the silent march in Kargil will commence at Chowk Chullah at 10:00 a.m., where participants will gather before proceeding towards Zainabia Chowk and then returning to Lal Chowk. The procession will conclude with a five-minute silent prayer and thanksgiving to honour the lives lost and those affected by the recent unrest.
In the evening, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., a complete blackout will be observed throughout Ladakh. People have been urged to switch off lights in their homes, shops, and institutions during this period, while local authorities have been requested to turn off streetlights as a symbolic gesture of collective mourning and unity.
In Drass, KDA member Mubarak Shah will convene a meeting of religious representatives to ensure coordination and the peaceful conduct of both the march and the blackout.
Religious leaders, particularly Imams and Khateebs, have been urged to use Friday sermons to encourage public participation. The KDA has appealed to citizens to attend the protest in large numbers, maintaining peace and discipline and avoiding bringing children along.
The organizers clarified that the protest will not include a shutdown of educational institutions, public transport, and business establishments. However, participants are encouraged to wear black armbands or masks as a sign of unity and respect for the martyrs and detainees. Merchant associations will assist in providing black ribbons and masks to participants.
Participants will carry placards and banners demanding a Supreme Court judge-led investigation, compensation for the families of those who lost their lives, and the unconditional release of all detained youth, including those arrested during recent protests.
The KDA and the Apex Body of Leh emphasized that all political, social, and religious organizations across Ladakh should play an active role in ensuring the event’s success. “This is not a protest of anger but one of dignity and unity. It represents the collective conscience and resilience of the people of Ladakh,” the organizers said in a joint statement.
They added that Saturday’s coordinated protest and blackout would mark a defining moment in Ladakh’s contemporary history, reflecting its people’s determination to seek justice through peaceful and disciplined means. [KNT]
