Fri Oct 24 17:06:39 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

Headline: Inquiry Begins into Civilian Deaths in Ladakh Protests

Srinagar, October 24, 2025 – A judicial commission formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will begin investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of four civilians during street protests in Ladakh’s Leh district on September 24. Justice B.S. Chauhan, who heads the commission, will commence meetings with residents in Leh starting October 25. Hearings are scheduled to take place in Melongthang, Leh, from October 25 to 28.

The Department of Law and Justice in Leh has urged those affected by the September 24 incident to provide testimony to the commission. The Senior Superintendent of Police in Leh has been instructed to provide security during the inquiry proceedings.

The September 24 protests, which also left around 90 injured, stemmed from unrest in the region and were followed by the arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and subsequent curfews and internet blackouts. While the Ladakh administration claims normalcy has returned, the civilian deaths led to the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) withdrawing from talks with the central government. A judicial inquiry was a key demand of the groups to resume negotiations.

Following the MHA’s announcement of the judicial commission on October 22, talks between the Centre and Ladakh groups have resumed. The LAB and KDA are currently in discussions with the central government regarding demands for statehood and the inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule. Ladakh was established as a Union Territory in 2019, following its separation from the former state of Jammu and Kashmir.

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