00:00Police and security forces patrolled the streets of India's Himalayan region of Ladakh on Thursday,
00:07a day after violent protests left at least four people dead and dozens injured.
00:13A curfew kept the streets of the main city, Leh, deserted following Wednesday's unrest.
00:19India's Home Ministry said that the protests were triggered by provocative speeches by activist Sonam Wangchuk,
00:26who has been on a hunger strike since September 10.
00:29Ladakh, a Buddhist-Muslim enclave, lost its autonomy in 2019 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government
00:37carved it out of Jammu and Kashmir and placed it under direct federal rule.
00:42Protesters led by Wangchuk are demanding special status for Ladakh,
00:47including the creation of elected local bodies to protect its tribal areas.
00:52The Home Ministry said talks with Ladakh's leaders, ongoing since 2023, are continuing,
00:58with the next round of discussions set for October 6.
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