Government Imposes Curfew in Leh, the Decision Severely Affects Ladakh’s Tourism

Another Setback for the Union Territory: Ladakh’s Tourism Heavily Impacted After the Arrest of Climate Activist, Sonam Wangchuk

The recent protests in Leh have forced the government to impose an indefinite curfew in the region, marking a second setback to the region after the Pahalgam attack. The curfew was announced after the arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. The government’s decision to enforce peace in the area has severely impacted the tourism sector and left many tourists stranded. 

Reasons for Imposing Curfew in Leh 

Sonam Wangchuk led a 35-day hunger strike with two other senior activists protesting for statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh. However, the latter two lost strength and had to be hospitalized. This incident triggered violent protests that caused four deaths and injured over 150 people, forcing the government to impose an indefinite curfew in Leh. 

Internet and mobile services have been temporarily suspended in the region. This has drastically reduced the number of visitors, threatening the livelihood of vendors who are directly dependent on Ladakh’s tourism.

Naseeb Singh, a hotel manager in the curfew-imposed region, said that “The cancellation of advanced bookings by our guests has been continuing on an almost daily basis for the last week. There is a shortage of merchandise due to the closure of the town since last Wednesday.”

Another local transporter, Rigzin Dorjey, shared his concerns, saying, "The Pahalgam incident virtually paralysed the tourism sector in Ladakh. We started receiving guests only a month after Operation Sindoor. However, Wednesday's incident has once again hit us hard.”

Tourists Left Stranded Amidst the Curfew in Leh

After the curfew announcement, many tourists have started cancelling their bookings. However, people who had already reached Leh are left stranded as hotels and attractions remain closed. A tourist named Sheena said, “Upon my arrival here, to my shock, I found that everything was closed. I was not even able to exchange my currency and buy food. I was planning some sightseeing in Pangong Lake, but I failed to get the permit.”

Another tourist, disappointed with the curfew, said, “We came to see Ladakh’s mountains and monasteries, but now we are just stuck in our rooms. Everyone here is wishing that peace returns soon.”

After the imposition of the curfew, the situation of tourists and local vendors in Leh is not looking good. Tourists are hoping for the situation to get normal so they can explore the different attractions, while locals are concerned about their livelihoods as their income largely depends on tourist visits.