Leh: Markets in Leh remained completely shut on Tuesday the Merchant Association of Leh launched an indefinite strike against Mir Sales Corporation, a Kashmir-based wholesaler, alleging fraudulent practices and market manipulation.
The shutdown, which began today, continued following a meeting between representatives of the Merchant Association and the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Leh.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, association members clarified that the protest is not about local versus non-local business, but against an individual who, they claim, is a repeat offender involved in scams across various states, including Srinagar, Kargil, and Himachal Pradesh.
“This is not a local vs non-local issue. This is about one person who is trying to scam our market. He has been blacklisted in several regions. Somehow, he managed to get a shop in Ladakh, and we are determined to stop this,” said a representative of the association.
The merchants warned that the market shutdown will continue until Mir Sales Corporation is forced to exit Ladakh. They expressed concern that if no action is taken, local businesses could collapse within five years due to unchecked market manipulation.
In the meeting with the ADC, the association raised several concerns, including the suspiciously quick issuance of documents to the company by local departments such as the Labour Office.
They questioned how labor registration documents, which typically take 10–15 days, were reportedly issued to Mir Sales Corporation within just a few days.
“We have also seen scams like this in the past where outsiders came, promised free washing machines and other goods, collected public money, and vanished. We fear the same could happen again,” a merchant leader said.
The association has demanded a thorough inquiry into the background and documents of the company. While the administration has reportedly assured legal scrutiny of the matter, the traders remain firm in their demand that Mir Sales Corporation must leave Ladakh.
To minimize inconvenience during the ongoing peak tourist season, the association confirmed that restaurants and essential services in tourist areas like Khaltsi and Nubra remain open. However, regular commercial markets will stay shut.
“We understand this affects daily life and tourism, but this fight is for the future of Ladakh’s business community,” the association said, urging public support.
The Merchant Association maintains that their protest is peaceful and lawful, but their position is clear: no reopening of markets until strict administrative action is taken against the accused party.
