Sonam Wangchuk ends fast after Ladakh protests leave four dead, dozens injured

Leh: As the sun set on what is arguably the worst day of violence since 1989 in the cold desert region, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk called off his fortnight-long hunger strike to press for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh, while authorities clamped curfew in the Leh district.

The violence left four people dead and at least 59 injured, including 22 police personnel, officials said.

Groups of youths, indulging in arson and vandalism, targeted the headquarters of the BJP and the Hill Council and set ablaze vehicles. Police and paramilitary forces, deployed in strength across the town, lobbed teargas shells to bring the situation under control, the officials said.

With at least six of those injured in a critical condition, there are fears the death toll could go up.

Terming the events as heart-wrenching, Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta said everyone has the right to speak up in a peaceful manner in a democratic system, but what happened today was not spontaneous and was the result of a conspiracy. “We will not spare those people who have spoiled the atmosphere here,” he said.

Curfew has been imposed as a precautionary measure to prevent more casualties, Gupta said while addressing the people of Ladakh.

Asserting that he stood with the people of the UT, especially the youth, the LG urged the people to help restore peace in Ladakh, which last saw major violence on August 27, 1989, during an agitation demanding Union Territory status that left three persons dead in police firing.

Government sources said the Centre has always been ready for talks and was considering advancing the October 6 meeting of the High Powered Committee with agitating groups ABL and KDA to September 25-26.

Ladakh and its youth are paying a huge price for the narrow politics played by certain individuals and the personal ambitions of activist Sonam Wangchuk, they claimed.

PTI