Ladakh’s hospitality and tourism sector has rallied behind the demand for safeguards for the region despite the huge impact of the September 24 violence on tourism.
Four people were killed in police firing, and dozens were injured after protests over the demand for statehood and the Sixth Schedule turned violent in Leh.
The government reacted by detaining more than 45 protesters and imposing restrictions, shutting down traffic, schools, businesses and mobile internet.
The incident dealt a severe blow to tourism in the region, as many tourists left Leh and bookings were cancelled.
Tourism is a key source of livelihood for thousands of people in Ladakh, especially in Leh. However, businesses linked to tourism are prioritising safeguards for the region over commercial interests.
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Speaking to THE WEEK, Rigzin Wangmo Lachic, President of the All Ladakh Hotels and Guest House Association (ALHAGHA), described the firing incident as a turning point for the community.
“The events of September 24 have shattered peace in our home and left a wound on our collective soul,” she said. “On behalf of our members, I extend heartfelt condolences to the families of the four martyrs.”
While praying for the recovery of the injured, Lachic backed the demand by the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, representing political, religious and social groups of Leh and Kargil.
The two bodies have been holding talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on their four-point demand for Ladakh, comprising statehood and the Sixth Schedule, reservation in jobs, two parliamentary seats — one each for Leh and Kargil — and a separate Public Service Commission.
Lachic said tourism has obviously been affected, but right now they are not thinking much about business.
“The main concern is justice. We want a judicial inquiry, release of the detained youths and we want to know why the firing happened,” she said. “People are deeply hurt and traumatised, and for now, business has taken a back seat.”
She stressed that the demand for constitutional safeguards was not about politics but about survival. “The demand for safeguards is a cry for the tools to protect who we are,” she said.
Lachic stressed that the tourism model Ladakh has built over five decades prioritises small homestays and guesthouses. “They are the backbone of Ladakh’s tourism economy, mostly run by women and must be supported to ensure that growth remains inclusive and sustainable,” she said.
She said that ALHAGHA has consistently advocated for a contextual approach to waste and sewage management, pollution control, land use, building bye-laws and development frameworks. “To continue without deeper consultations risks ecological and cultural harm,” she warned.
Tourist arrivals had already dropped by around 50 per cent after the Pahalgam attack earlier this year and the unprecedented rains in Ladakh and neighbouring states. “Now, with this recent tragedy, the crisis has deepened,” she said, adding that most hoteliers and operators are under heavy debt and struggling to stay afloat.
The ALHAGHA president reiterated that economic concerns cannot come at the cost of justice. “We unequivocally support the people’s demand for safeguards because protecting our land and our rights is inseparable from protecting our livelihoods,” she said.
“There is a lot of financial stress on everyone, in addition to the emotional strain caused by what has happened,” she added. “Not just hotel owners, but also small business owners like taxi drivers, bikers, and shopkeepers are under financial pressure. Some owe Rs 1 lakh, others Rs 10 lakh, but the mental stress is the same.” She said everyone is mourning the dead, while many young people remain in jail.
For now, she stressed, justice outweighs commercial concerns. “Tourism has obviously been affected, but right now, people are not thinking much about business. The main concern is justice. We want a judicial inquiry, we want the release of the detained youths, and we want to know why the firing happened.”
Lachic underlined that people must remain at the centre of tourism development in Ladakh. “Tourism here is the main source of income for nearly 80 per cent of the people, directly or indirectly through handicrafts, transport, or other small enterprises. Our priority is to protect local businesses and livelihoods.”
She said that Ladakh should not follow the model of Himachal or Uttarakhand, where overdevelopment has damaged the environment. “We want sustainable tourism led by local homestays and guesthouses, which form the majority of the sector here,” she said.