| Wangchuk’s provocative speeches led to violence in Leh: MHA | | Mob torched police vehicle, injured over 30 police, CRPF personnel, damaged public property | |  Early Times Report
New Delhi, Sept 24: The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday said that provocative speeches by the activist Sonam Wangchuk led to the violence in Ladakh.
In a statement the MHA said, “The Government of India has been actively engaging with Apex Body Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance through the High-Powered Committee (HPC), a sub-committee, and multiple informal channels. These efforts have already yielded phenomenal results, including raising Scheduled Tribe reservations in Ladakh from 45% to 84%, granting one-third women’s reservation in councils, declaring Bhoti and Purgi as official languages, and initiating the recruitment process for 1,800 posts.”
The MHA accused “certain politically motivated individuals” of trying to sabotage the dialogue process, despite the HPC having scheduled further meetings with Ladakhi leaders on September 25–26 and October 6.
According to the statement, despite appeals from several leaders to end the protest, Wangchuk continued his hunger strike and allegedly misled people with “provocative references to Arab Spring-style protests and Gen Z demonstrations in Nepal.”
“The situation escalated on September 24 at around 11:30 a.m., when a mob allegedly influenced by Wangchuk’s speeches left the protest venue and attacked a political party office and the office of the Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) in Leh, setting both on fire. The ministry said the mob also torched a police vehicle, injured over 30 police and CRPF personnel, and damaged public property,” the statement said.
“In response, security forces resorted to firing in self-defence, leading to casualties, the MHA confirmed. The situation was brought under control by 4:00 pm,” it added.
“It is clear that the mob was guided by Sonam Wangchuk through his provocative statements. Incidentally, amidst these developments, he called off his hunger strike,” the MHA said.
The MHA reiterated that the Government of India remains committed to addressing the aspirations of Ladakh’s people by providing adequate constitutional safeguards.
Reiterating its stand, the government assured that it “remains committed to the aspirations of the people of Ladakh by providing adequate constitutional safeguards.” The MHA also appealed to the public not to circulate old or provocative videos on media or social media that may disrupt peace. |
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