The ongoing annual Ladakh festival, which started on Sunday, was cancelled on its last day (September 24) following clashes between protesters and police. The festival, held across Leh and the surrounding villages of Ladakh, is renowned for its cultural performances, sporting events, food stalls, and vibrant atmosphere. The closing ceremony, which was scheduled to be attended by Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta, was cancelled, according to a statement from the Department of Information and Public Relations. The festival, organised by the Tourism Department, has been a stage for artists from Ladakh to promote and perform their arts and crafts.

Why the protest?
A massive protest has been going on in the region for years, demanding Statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. It is expected to provide constitutional protection for the local people, solidifying their indigenous and tribal rights. It is also likely to improve their job opportunities. 'Ladakh' has more than 2K search volume in the past 2 hours on Google Trends. 
(With PTI inputs)

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