SRINAGAR: Army was called out to impose law and order in the Leh town of Ladakh region which was rocked by violence accompanying arson and looting.
This was following clashes between the Buddhists and Hindus.
An indefinite curfew was imposed on the town after the police failed to restore law and order even after a baton charge and bursting teargas shells.
Clashes followed a brawl between two youths, one a Hindu and another a Buddhist. At least 25 people were injured in them, many seriously hurt.
According to reports here, rioters in the Buddhist dominated capital of Ladhak resorted to arson and looted as leaving 12 shops and business establishments burnt and ransacked.
The troops staged a flag march and shoot on right orders were issued. An unspecified number of Buddhists have been arrested by the police,
Long simmering resentment at the lack of adequate development efforts in Ladakh has seen as the main cause of the worst violence in the memory of this mountainous state. The brawl nearly provided a spark.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 14, 1989
