Ladakh: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday condemned the violent protests in Ladakh as politically motivated, pinning the blame on activist Sonam Wangchuk’s provocative speeches that allegedly incited the rampaging crowd.
The clashes, demanding full statehood for the Union Territory, erupted in Leh, leaving vehicles ablaze and several injured, including over 30 police and CRPF personnel.
The unrest unfolded around 11:30 am when protesters, emerging from Wangchuk’s hunger strike site, torched a political party office, the Chief Executive Councillor’s (CEC) Leh headquarters, and police vans. As the mob turned aggressive, hurling stones and overwhelming security forces, the police resorted to firing in self-defence amid the chaos.
Tragically, casualties were reported, though exact numbers remain unconfirmed. By 4 pm, authorities had regained control, deploying additional forces to restore calm.
Wangchuk, who began his fast on September 10 seeking Sixth Schedule protections and statehood, drew sharp criticism from the MHA. Officials accused him of derailing ongoing dialogues by citing examples like the Arab Spring and Nepal’s Gen-Z movements to rally supporters. Notably, he announced the end of his 15-day strike amid the violence, a move the government views as opportunistic.
The Centre highlighted proactive steps already taken: elevating job reservations for Ladakh’s Scheduled Tribes from 45% to 84%, reserving one-third of seats for women in councils, recognising Bhoti and Purgi as official languages, and initiating recruitment for 1,800 posts. These emerged from multiple rounds of talks with the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance via the High-Powered Committee (HPC).
“Some elements, driven by narrow political agendas, seek to sabotage this constructive process,” the MHA asserted, reaffirming commitment to constitutional safeguards aligned with Ladakhi aspirations.
As tensions simmer, the incident underscores the fragile balance between dialogue and discord in the high-altitude region.
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