A day after the cold desert region of Ladakh witnessed violent protests leading to the killing of four civilians and injuries to over 80 others, palpable tension prevailed even as the Union Territory administration imposed strict curfew restrictions and rounded up over 50 civilians purportedly involved in the violent protests.
In Leh, Sonam Wangchuk reacted angrily, claiming that his imprisonment could create more problems for the Government than his freedom, and called the home ministry’s act of blaming him for recent violent protests in Ladakh a “scapegoat tactic”.
Meanwhile, the bodies of four civilians were handed over to their families in Leh on Thursday. Senior members of the Apex Body visited the hospital and paid tributes before the bodies were taken for last rites.
The deceased were identified as Tsewang Tharchin (46) of Skurbuchan, a retired soldier of the 3 Ladakh Scouts Regiment; Stanzin Namgyal (24) of Igoo; Jigmet Dorjay (25) of Kharnakling; and Rinchen Dadul (21) of Hanu.
Reacting to the MHA’s statement, which had blamed him for provoking the mob violence on Wednesday, Wangchuk said he is prepared to be arrested under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA).
“I see they are building up a case to bring me under the Public Safety Act and throw me in jail for two years,” he told a wire news agency over the phone and added that “I am ready for that, but Sonam Wangchuk in jail may cause them more problems than free Sonam Wangchuk.” The climate activist also said, “To say it (the violence) was instigated by me, or sometimes by Congress, is to find a scapegoat, rather than addressing the core of the problem, and this will lead us nowhere.
“They may be clever in making somebody else a scapegoat, but they are not wise. At this time, we all need wisdom rather than ‘cleverness’ because youths are already frustrated,” said Wangchuk.
In Leh, Lieutenant Governor of the Union territory, Kavinder Gupta, chaired a security review meeting and called for heightened vigilance to safeguard peace.
“The lieutenant governor chaired a high-level security review meeting to assess the emerging situation across Ladakh, emphasising the need for heightened vigilance, seamless inter-agency coordination, and proactive measures to safeguard peace, security, and public order across the UT,” the L-G’s office said in a post on X.
Officials said senior officers from the police, CRPF and civil administration attended the meeting and discussed in detail the prevailing law and order situation in the region.
According to official sources, at least 50 people were detained by the police in the aftermath of widespread clashes during a daylong shutdown call given by the youth wing of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) to advance talks with the Centre on the demand for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.
In addition to Leh, strict prohibitory restrictions banning assembly of five or more persons have been placed in other major towns as well, including Kargil, where a shutdown was given by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) in support of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was leading a hunger strike. Kargil District Magistrate Rakesh Kumar issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in the entire district.
Meanwhile, the police authorities are also probing the role of three injured citizens hailing from Nepal. Officials said heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel in riot gear was made in Kargil, Zanskar, Nubra, Padam, Changtang, Drass, and Lamayuru to contain street protests. In Srinagar, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said the Centre should hold talks with the people of Ladakh to address their aspirations.
“I want to tell the government that it (Ladakh) is a border state. China is lurking, they have occupied land. It is time to resolve it quickly. The government should hold talks and resolve it,” Abdullah told reporters. Asked about the government blaming climate activist Sonam Wangchuk for the violence, the former chief minister said the peace activist was not responsible for it.
“He (Wangchuk) has never left the Gandhian way. The youth have sidelined him today. He is not responsible for it. When they (BJP) lost elections, they imposed safety law and put people in jails. Now they are using CBI. More they use force to suppress, the bigger the danger. I want to tell the government of India not to use force and instead hold dialogue,” he added.
