LEH, LADAKH – The heart of Ladakh, a region once celebrated for its peace and awe-inspiring landscapes, has come to a near standstill. As curfew grips Leh town following violent clashes, the ripple effects are being felt far and wide — especially by the people whose lives are intricately tied to tourism.
Already struggling to regain footing after the Pahalgam terror attack in April, the tourism industry in Ladakh has now been shaken once again. The violence that broke out on September 24, amid an agitation led by the Leh Apex Body demanding statehood and constitutional protections under the Sixth Schedule, left four dead and over 150 injured. Since then, indefinite curfew and mobile internet suspension have virtually sealed off the town.
For six days and counting, movement has been restricted. Markets are shut, internet is down, and thousands of tourists are either cancelling trips or stuck in hotels with nowhere to go. The damage to Ladakh’s tourism economy is growing by the day.
“The cancellation of bookings is non-stop. There’s no merchandise in shops. We haven’t seen this kind of lockdown in Leh before,” shared Naseeb Singh, a local hotel manager with nearly ten years of experience.
Transporters, hoteliers, and shop owners alike say they are now living day-to-day, watching their livelihoods erode. The aftermath of the April attack in Pahalgam, despite it occurring in a different Union Territory, had already left a scar. Many say tourism was just beginning to recover after Operation Sindoor, the counter-offensive launched by Indian forces on May 7.
“We just started seeing tourists again, and then this happened,” said Rigzin Dorjey, a local transporter.
Tourists feel helpless. They came to explore the dramatic landscapes of Pangong Lake, immerse in the calm of monasteries, and experience the unique culture of Ladakh. Instead, they find themselves locked inside hotel rooms, disconnected from the world and unsure of what happens next.
“I can’t even exchange my money or buy basic things. I came here hoping to find peace — and now I’m just stuck,” said Sheena, a tourist from Taiwan.
“We came for the culture, the nature, the serenity — and now we’re locked in,” said Shruti, a tourist who wanted to visit local landmarks and shop for traditional crafts.
The police maintain that the curfew is essential for preventing further violence. But there’s growing anxiety — both among locals and visitors — about how long this uncertainty will last.
A local hotelier put it simply but powerfully:
“Each day of curfew is a day of lost livelihood for thousands of families. We’re all just praying for peace.”
