Leh

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been accused of instigating violence in Leh, which led to the death of four persons and injuries to at least 90 others and widespread arson, was arrested Friday afternoon.

Roman Magsaysay awardee Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike demanding statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, was arrested on Friday from his house in Leh.

The protests had begun as a peaceful shutdown demanding statehood for Ladakh, but quickly turned violent. Demonstrators had torched the BJP office in Leh, a police vehicle and several private cars, triggering a harsh crackdown.

Prohibitions under Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, continue to be imposed in Leh following the violence. The assembly of five or more persons is banned in the district. No procession, rally or march can be carried out without prior written approval.

Authorities had imposed a curfew in Kargil, where a shutdown was called by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) in solidarity with Wangchuk. Police said the step was necessary to prevent further escalation of violence after Wednesday’s clashes spiralled into arson and attacks on government property.

In the meantime, Congress Councillor Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag, accused of instigating a mob in Leh, remains untraceable.

Police said multiple raids are being conducted at different locations to arrest him, but his mobile phone has been switched off since the violence broke out.

A video circulating on social media allegedly shows Tsepag inciting protesters during the attack. 

Tsepag had added that he was planning to take legal action by filing a defamation case, and said he had CCTV footage to prove that he was not at the protest when the violence took place.

However, with police maintaining that he is absconding, questions remain over his whereabouts.

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he situation in Leh continues to remain tense with heavy security deployment, while the Opposition and ruling parties trade charges over responsibility for the violence.