NEW DELHI: Around 5,000–6,000 protesters poured into Leh’s streets this Wednesday, their anger spilling over into arson and stone-pelting. Government buildings were damaged, a BJP office was attacked, and vehicles set ablaze as the agitation over Ladakh’s demands for statehood turned violent. Security forces responded with tear gas, baton charges, and even firing, leaving 17 CRPF personnel injured and more than 70 civilians hurt.In the aftermath of the chaos, Ladakh’s director general of police SD Singh Jamwal defended the arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, saying his protest platform provided space for violence to erupt. Jamwal said investigators were probing a possible Pakistan link, pointing to Wangchuk’s prior visits across the border and alleged interactions with Islamabad-based officials. “Planning and coordination was done beforehand,” the DGP claimed, insisting the arrest was necessary to prevent further escalation.
Here are the latest developments on the unrest:
‘Attempts to sabotage 6th Schedule process’
During the briefing, the DGP said that the government is already working with the Leh Apex Body and KDA, but environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk is demanding 6th Schedule status and statehood, creating obstacles and “sabotaging” the decision-making process.
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Was the arrest of Sonam Wangchuk justified?
Ladakh DGP Dr SD Singh Jamwal said: “Ever since Ladakh became a UT, there has been a political demand here for 6th Schedule and Statehood. Leh Apex Body and KDA have had lengthy discussions with the government…This is an ongoing process but attempts were also being made to sabotage and vitiate this process. A so-called environmental activist and other such groups with a question mark on their credibility attempted to hijack this platform. The first name here is Sonam Wangchuk. He had said and done things earlier as well to derail this process…The hunger protest was made a platform where elements were invited to vitiate peace & law and order here…Preliminary talks were already planned on 25-26 September in Delhi.Also read: Arrest of Sonam Wangchuk condemned; environmentalists plan campaigns against NSA
The arrest of Pakistan PIO
A Pakistan PIO linked to Sonam Wangchuk was arrested, and an investigation is underway. The DGP said the Pakistan PIO was ‘in touch’ with Wangchuk.The DGP said: “We also arrested a Pakistan PIO in the recent past who was in touch with him (Sonam Wangchuk) and reporting back across. We have a record of this. He had attended a Dawn event in Pakistan. He also visited Bangladesh. So, there is a big question mark on him…Investigation is being done.”“Sonam Wangchuk has had a history of instigating. He has referred to the Arab Spring, Nepal and Bangladesh. The investigation into his funding is going on for FCRA violation,” he said.
‘5000-6000 strong group damaged government buildings’
Speaking about the unrest, the DGP described how “a 5000-6000 strong group marched and damaged government buildings and party offices.”The DGP said that on Wednesday, a crowd gathered in Leh despite talks already scheduled with the Centre in Delhi for the following days. He claimed “CRPF jawans were brutally beaten up, one jawan is still in hospital with a serious spinal injury… 4 women Police personnel were in the same building when it was set on fire… firing was done in self-defence and 4 lives were lost.” He added that 70–80 security personnel and a similar number of civilians were injured, including a girl who had to be airlifted to Delhi.
‘I too was attacked,’ says DGP
The DGP described how 32 people were severely injured on the first day, and he himself was attacked but survived with minor injuries.“Firing was done in self-defence and 4 lives were lost. 32 people were severely injured on the first day and after that several more were injured. I too was attacked but I luckily survived with minor injuries…Of the severely injured personnel, 17 were from CRPF and 15 from Ladakh Police…Later, the number rose to 70-80. 70-80 civilians were also injured. Of them, 7 were critically injured; one girl was airlifted to Delhi for advanced medical help. 6-7 are still in Ladakh hospital, ” the DGP said.Also read: All isn’t well with how Sonam Wangchuk’s career has gone
44 people arrested
Jamwal confirmed that the police has arrested 44 people. “We have arrested 44 people so far. The main ring leaders have been nabbed. Sonam Wangchuk, the main player, has been sent out under NSA charges,” the DGP said.When asked if the Police had any Intelligence inputs regarding anti-social elements, the DGP said: “We did have Intelligence, only then was the deployment made…Police deployment and arrangement are always intelligence-based.”
