2 publishers · first seen Thu, 29 Oct 2026 17:07 UTC · updated Thu, 29 Oct 2026 20:11 UTC
Religious women's organisations in Leh have suspended their protest against the liquor policy in Ladakh for one week after the Union Territory Administration agreed, in principle, to their recommendations. The administration confirmed it had revoked the 2026–27 Excise Policy, which had aimed to expand liquor outlets from 2 to 20, and restored the 2025–26 policy as of August 6. The women's groups, including the Ladakh Buddhist Association Women Wing, Anjuman-e-Imamia Women Wing, Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam Women Wing and the Christian Community Women Wing, agreed to pause their dharna from October 29 to November 5 to allow time for formalisation of the agreement. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk welcomed the development, stating the administration had accepted all demands following sustained protests.
The administration, led by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, had introduced the policy in June, saying it aimed to reduce dependence on narcotics and support tourism. It later rejected claims by Wangchuk that liquor shops were being opened widely, calling them baseless.
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