The Buddhist and Muslim communities in Ladakh came together to observe the second shutdown in four months on Monday to mount pressure on Delhi to accept their demands for statehood and special status like that enjoyed by the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The shutdown to press for the “Ladakh for Ladakhis” demand was called by Leh-based People’s Alliance and Kargil-based Kargil Democratic Alliance and, like the last time, there were alleged attempts “by sections of BJP leaders” to sabotage it.

A letterhead attributed to Leh’s People’s Alliance, which had gone viral on social media on Sunday evening, claimed the shutdown call had been withdrawn as it coincided with the anniversary of Parliament attack.

However, both the groups promptly claimed it was a “fake letterhead” and blamed some BJP leaders for the alleged mischief.

The BJP has not yet reacted to the development.

The BJP was initially part of the Leh alliance but moved out after accusations of doublespeak.

On Monday, roads were deserted and markets were closed in towns and villages.

Kargil Democratic Alliance co-chairman Asgar Karbalai said the shutdown was a message to Delhi that they would not relent on their demands and were ready to make all kinds of sacrifices.

“People have shown to the country, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and others, that Ladakhis are very serious about their issues. People are protesting despite sub-zero temperatures. If

they continue to be deaf and dumb to our demands, all people will be on roads,” Karbalai said.

The Leh and Kargil alliances seek full-fledged statehood for Ladakh, exclusive rights over land and jobs for the Ladakhis similar to those guaranteed under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution or Article 371, two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat, and 10,000-12,000 recruitments to vacant posts to address unemployment.

Thupstan Chhewang, president of the Leh alliance, said the Ladakh leadership would conduct a door-to-door campaign once the weather improved to mobilise people and sensitise them to their issues.

Unlike Jammu and Kashmir, which was stripped of its special status and reduced to a Union territory in 2019, Ladakhis have already got some concessions in recent months. In September, the government of the Union Territory of Ladakh issued an order defining “resident of the UT of Ladakh”, which gives almost exclusive rights to locals over jobs in the region.

Ladakh’s Buddhists, most of whom live in Leh, along with Jammu Hindus, had cheered the August 5, 2019 dilution of Article 370 and bifurcation and demotion of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories. Jammu Hindus also observed a maiden shutdown in September over fears that outsiders were encroaching on their rights.

Jammu and Kashmir Muslims had from the beginning opposed the scrapping of the special status as they feared it was a ploy to change the Muslim majority character of the region.