The Indian government has released 26 men detained during violent protests in Ladakh last week. The protests were sparked by demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards. The release is seen as a goodwill gesture to defuse tensions and resolve the issue peacefully. ;Protest details Protests turned violent, resulting in deaths and injuries The protests were triggered by a pro-statehood movement that has been brewing for four years. Ladakh became a separate union territory in August 2019 after the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir.