4 killed, 65 injured as Ladakh statehood protests turn violent

At least four persons were killed and over 65 injured when protests over the demand for statehood and the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh turned violent in Leh district on Wednesday. The protesters torched the BJP office and some vehicles, and tried to storm into the Hill Council building.

The police resorted to firing and tear gas shelling to disperse the youth, who pelted them as well as CRPF personnel with stones.

The injured were taken to Sonam Nurboo Memorial Hospital in Leh. Dr Rinchen Chosdol, medical superintendent of the hospital, told The Tribune that many of them had suffered pellet injuries. The violence started around 11.30 am. Shocked over the developments, environment activist Sonam Wangchuk called off his 35-day hunger strike over the demand for statehood and the Sixth Schedule on the 15th day on Wednesday.

Curfew in Leh, L-G alleges conspiracy

Blaming vested interests for violence, Ladakh L-G Kavinder Gupta said curfew had been imposed across Leh to prevent more bloodshed

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The govt also accused activist Sonam Wangchuk of inciting violence through ‘provocative statements’; it said over 30 security men were hurt

A shutdown call for Leh district was given on Tuesday after the health of two of the 15 persons on strike with activist Sonam Wangchuk deteriorated. Both elderly persons fainted and were rushed to hospital where they were treated. This annoyed the youth, who are supporting the peaceful protest by Wangchuk.

Anger was already brewing among locals after representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) had urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to advance the date for talks on the crucial matters of statehood and the Sixth Schedule. The talks were recently scheduled by the government for October 6 in New Delhi.

The protesters, who were raising slogans against the Centre, reached the BJP office and set the building ablaze. Two vehicles parked inside the premises, including one belonging to the police, were torched while the windows of a third were smashed.

BJP state media secretary of Ladakh Hassan Pasha said the party office was torched by the protesters. He claimed that some staff members at the office were also injured.

Leh Deputy Commissioner Romil Singh Donk ordered the imposition of Section 163 of the BNS with restrictions on processions, rallies and marches. Donk said, “It has been brought to my notice that there is apprehension of disturbance to public peace and tranquillity, danger to human life and a possibility of law and order problem in the jurisdiction of Leh district”.

Meanwhile, the Centre alleged that the mob violence was guided by the “provocative statements” of activist Sonam Wangchuk, and certain "politically motivated" individuals were not happy with the progress made in the ongoing talks between the representatives of the government and Ladakhi groups.

In a statement, the Union Home Ministry said barring a few unfortunate incidents that happened early on Wednesday, the situation was brought under control by 4 pm and asked everyone not to circulate old and provocative videos in the media and social media. “Certain politically motivated individuals were not happy with the progress made under the high-powered committee and have been trying to sabotage the dialogue process,” it said. The next meeting of the committee will be held on October 6.