Leh Apex Body fixes Martyrs' Month, demands justice and compensation
The Leh Apex Body on Monday announced that 24 August to 24 September will be observed as Martyrs' Month across Ladakh to honour those who died in the 24 September 2025 incident, and pressed for the withdrawal of cases registered in connection with the episode. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chering Dorjay Lakrook and made public at a subsequent press conference, according to the Apex Body.
The announcement comes ahead of the first anniversary of the incident in which four Ladakhis were killed and around 80 people injured in firing on 24 September 2025. The Apex Body also demanded compensation for the families of those killed and for the injured, and asked for a prompt conclusion of the Judicial Inquiry Committee's report into the events of that day.
- Duration announced: 24 August–24 September (Martyrs' Month across Ladakh)
- Demands: Withdrawal of all cases linked to the 24 September incident; compensation for families of the deceased and for injured persons
- Accountability: Concern expressed over delay in the Judicial Inquiry Committee report; Apex Body may approach the Supreme Court if delays persist
Apex Body member Mohd Shafi Lasub warned that the body would consider challenging any further delay in the inquiry report before the Supreme Court of India, saying the inquiry process should not be unnecessarily prolonged, according to the meeting outcome reported by the Apex Body.
"No date had yet been confirmed for the proposed talks,"
The Apex Body said it had received communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding the holding of talks with leaders from Ladakh, but emphasised that no date has yet been confirmed for those discussions. The announcement leaves unresolved when formal dialogue with the Union home ministry will begin.
Leadership change confirmed; Sonam Wangchuk present
Climate activist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk, who attended the press briefing, said the Apex Body had unanimously passed a resolution formally confirming Chering Dorjay Lakrook as its Chairman. Lakrook had earlier been functioning as Co‑Chairman after internal developments within the Apex Body over recent months, Wangchuk said.
The Apex Body described the leadership change as a formalisation of roles after prior resignations and internal adjustments. The meeting also approved the formation of a core committee, the details of which were reported as part of the session's outcomes.
| Event | Date / Period |
|---|---|
| 24 September incident (fatalities and injuries) | 24 September 2025 |
| Declared Martyrs' Month | 24 August–24 September (annual observance from 2026) |
The decisions announced by the Apex Body are likely to shape public activity and political mobilisation in Leh and across Ladakh in the run-up to the anniversary. The body’s insistence on withdrawal of cases and its call for compensation place pressure on authorities to respond both on legal proceedings and on remedial measures for victims’ families and the injured.
By signalling a possible legal challenge in the Supreme Court over delays in the judicial inquiry, the Apex Body has indicated it will seek redress through multiple forums if its concerns are not addressed. The status of formal talks with the MHA remains pending until a date is fixed for engagement, the Apex Body said.
All positions and actions reported here were described by the Leh Apex Body, its named office-bearers and participants at the press conference, according to the published account of the meeting.
