Ladakh violence could’ve been avoided: UT blames Wangchuk

Two days after protests erupted in Leh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh, the Union Territory administration has blamed the violence on climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk, stating that the unrest “could have been avoided” had he ended his hunger strike.

In a statement released at midnight on Friday, the UT’s Department of Information and Public Relations confirmed that Wangchuk had been detained under the National Security Act (NSA) and transferred to Jodhpur Jail in Rajasthan. The statement described his actions as “prejudicial to the security of the state time and again.”

Wangchuk was taken into custody from his village following the protests on September 24, which left four people dead and nearly 100 injured.

“Time and again, it has been observed that Sonam Wangchuk has been indulging in activities prejudicial to the security of the state and detrimental to the maintenance of peace and public order,” the administration stated.

Despite “clear communication” from the government regarding a scheduled meeting of the High-Powered Committee (HPC), the administration said Wangchuk “continued his hunger strike with ulterior motives.”

The statement further alleged that Wednesday’s violence could have been prevented. “His series of provocative speeches and misleading videos, with references to Nepalese agitations and the Arab Spring, led to the violent protests of September 24 in Leh. During the unrest, institutions, buildings, and vehicles were set ablaze, and police personnel were attacked, resulting in the unfortunate death of four individuals,” it said.

Wangchuk had been on a 35-day hunger strike, which he ended shortly after the violence broke out. Protesters, mainly youth, torched the BJP office, the Leh Hill Council building, and several vehicles. In response, police opened fire on the demonstrators.

“The entire episode could have been avoided if he had risen above personal and political ambitions by calling off the hunger strike once dialogue with the government resumed,” the administration reiterated.

Emphasising the need to restore normalcy, the administration stated, “To ensure this, it is also important to prevent Wangchuk from further acting in a manner prejudicial to the maintenance of public order.”