Srilanka, Oct. 5 -- Ladakh, a vast mountainous region in the Northern-most part of India bordering China and Pakistan, was on the boil in September. Forty-one people were killed in police firing and scores were injured as they took to violence to press the Government of India to yield to their long-standing demand for autonomy, democracy and Constitutional protections.

Since 2019, the Ladakhis, led by the world-renowned climate activist and Magsaysay award winner, Sonam Wangchuk (59), have been demanding "Statehood" (Provincial Status) with an elected local legislature and inclusion in the Indian Constitution's Sixth Schedule that gives indigenous tribal communities protection against encroachments by outsiders.

The Ladakhis, who are ma...