Leh: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, detained under the National Security Act following violence in Leh, had contact with a Pakistani person of Indian origin (PIO), Ladakh’s top police official told ANI on Saturday.

Ladakh Director General of Police S.D. Singh Jamwal told reporters the Pakistani PIO was arrested recently and had been in touch with Wangchuk, “reporting back across.”

"...We 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...,” Jamwal added.

Wangchuk was detained Friday after a series of alleged provocative speeches he made referencing protests in Nepal and the Arab Spring, which the administration said helped spark deadly clashes in Leh on Sept. 24. The violence left four people dead and scores injured.

Addressing a press conference in Leh, Jamwal also accused Wangchuk of derailing the talks with the Centre, and said that five to six thousand people attacked the government buildings and offices of political parties.

"An unfortunate incident occurred on September 24. Four lives were lost, and a large number of civilians, police officers and paramilitary officers were injured. There were attempts to sabotage these ongoing processes (talks with Centre)… This involved some so-called environmental activists; there is a question mark on their credibility as well. They tried to hijack the platform, and the prime name here is Sonam Wangchuk, who has earlier also delivered such statements and worked to derail the process," Jamwal said.

He added that there was an increase in provocative speeches and videos on social media in the run-up to the talks with the Centre.

He said, "The dates for the high power committee meeting on October 6 and preliminary meetings on September 25-26 were announced, but on September 10, a hunger strike was made the platform for such elements to hamper the peace. In the run-up to the talks, there was an increase in speeches and videos, which we believe were dangerous for the law and order situation. We also registered FIRs."

The DGP added that the CRPF officers were beaten up, and at least three women police officers were also stuck in the building that was burnt.

"Surprisingly, on September 24, a large group of people gathered. There were anti-social elements present there. 5000-6000 people damaged government buildings and offices of political parties, pelted stones. Our officers in those buildings were also attacked. An office of a political party was burned, and CRPF officers were beaten up. One of the officers is seriously injured and admitted to the hospital. Three or four women police officers were also stuck in the building," he said.

Meanwhile, curfew remained in force for the fourth consecutive day in Leh, but Jamwal said authorities planned to ease restrictions in a staggered manner. “We have decided to relax curfew from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Old City. In the new area, we will relax it from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.,” he said.

More than 50 people have been detained in connection with the clashes. Police and paramilitary forces continue patrolling sensitive areas and conducting raids to apprehend those allegedly involved in the violence, including a local councillor accused of incitement.

The Ladakh administration said Wangchuk’s detention was “important to restore normalcy” and prevent further acts “prejudicial to the maintenance of public order.”

No untoward incidents were reported across Ladakh in the past 24 hours, officials said, though restrictions banning gatherings of more than five people remain in effect in major towns, including Kargil.

Lt. Governor Kavinder Gupta is expected to hold a security review meeting soon to decide on further curfew relaxations.