Leh, October 23/ VOL News desk/ Women in Ladakh on Thursday launched a sit-in protest at NDS Park, Leh, against the establishment of liquor shops under the new Excise Policy, demanding a complete ban on the sale of alcohol in the Union Territory.

A large number of women affiliated with various religious and social organisations, including the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), Anjuman Imamia, Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam and the Christian community, participated in the protest. Several men also joined the demonstration in support of the demand.

Addressing the gathering, representatives of various women’s organisations, the president of the LBA and other speakers expressed concern over the sale of alcohol and the growing availability of other intoxicating substances in Ladakh. They urged the government to impose a complete ban on the sale of liquor in the region and take effective measures to make Ladakh alcohol-free.

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The speakers alleged that the Union Territory administration was implementing new regulations without adequately consulting the people of Ladakh or securing their consent, thereby overlooking public sentiments and local traditions. They called for a review of the new Excise Policy, taking into account the region’s religious values, social priorities and public concerns, and demanded the withdrawal of the decision to establish liquor shops.

The speakers also raised concerns over amendments to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) Act and other major political and administrative issues affecting the region. They stressed that local people and their elected representatives must be taken into confidence on important decisions concerning Ladakh’s future.

Women in Ladakh have been protesting for several months against the establishment of liquor shops under the new Excise Policy. Various women’s organisations have repeatedly raised the issue through press conferences and other public activities, urging the government to amend the policy, halt the sale of alcohol and declare Ladakh an alcohol-free region.

The protest has received support from several religious and social organisations, including the Ladakh Buddhist Association, as well as the Apex Body Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).

Through the sit-in protest, the demonstrators reiterated their demand for a complete ban on liquor sales and urged the government to take their concerns seriously and reconsider the Excise Policy.