DGP Claims Sonam Wangchuk Responsible for Leh Violence, Points to Foreign Links

Sonam's links with Pakistan:Ladakh's Director General of Police (DGP) SD Singh Jamwal has blamed environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk for the Leh violence, claiming he has links to Pakistan.The DGP stated that police recently arrested a Pakistani spy who was in contact with Wangchuk and was sending videos of his protests across the border. Wangchuk's travels to Pakistan and Bangladesh are also being investigated.

He stated that Wangchuk exploited the ongoing protests in Ladakh for his own agenda. On Friday, police arrested him under the NSA on charges of foreign funding and inciting violence and sent him to Jodhpur jail.

Hunger Strike and Violence

Wangchuk was on a hunger strike demanding statehood and inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule. Violence erupted in Leh on September 24, resulting in the deaths of four people and injuries to over 90.

According to the DGP, a mob of approximately five to six thousand people resorted to violence. Protesters resorted to arson, trapping three female police officers inside a building. Security forces had to open fire in self-defense. 70 civilians, 17 CRPF personnel, and 15 police officers were injured in the lathicharge and stone-pelting. 44 people have been arrested so far.

Foreign Funding and External Connections

DGP Jamwal said that an investigation into the funding and use of Wangchuk's organization is ongoing. He also stated that three Nepali citizens were injured by gunfire during the violence. A large number of Nepali laborers work in Leh, but their involvement in any conspiracy has not been confirmed.

Surrender

Four accused wanted by the police in connection with the violence and arson surrendered in court on Saturday. These included two councilors of the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council. The court remanded all of them to police custody.