Leh Ladakh Protest Highlights: Govt says mob violence motivated by ‘provocative statements’ of Wangchuk

The Centre on Wednesday alleged that the mob violence in Ladakh was guided by the “provocative statements” of activist Sonam Wangchuk. An official communique said certain “politically motivated” individuals were not happy with the progress made in the ongoing talks between the representatives of the government and Ladakhi groups.

“It is clear that the mob was guided by Sonam Wangchuk through his provocative statements. Incidentally, amidst these developments, he called of his hunger strike,” the Home Ministry said.

“Certain politically motivated individuals were not happy with the progress made under HPC has been trying to sabotage the dialogue process. The next meeting of High Powered Committee has been scheduled on 6th October while meetings are also planned on 25th and 26th September with the leaders from Ladakh,” said an official update.

An official press note noted that the Indian government had been actively engaged with the Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance. It added that a series of meetings had yielded “phenomenal results”.

The official communique said the talks had led to increase of reservations for Ladakh scheduled tribe from 45% to 84%, provision of 1/3 women reservations in the councils and declaring Bhoti and Purgi as official languages.The process for recruitment of 1800 posts was also commenced.

An official press note has criticised Sonam Wangchuk for continuing with a hunger strike and accused him of “misleading people”. It also claimed that activist had made “provocative” references to Arab Spring-style protest and the recent Gen Z agitation in Nepal.

“A mob motivated by his provocative speeches left the venue of the hunger strike and attacked a political party office as well as Government office of the CEC Leh around 11:30 am on September 24. They also put these offices on fire, attacked the security personnel, and torched police vehicle. The unruly mob attacked the police personnel in which more than 30 police/CRPF personnel were injured. The mob continued to destroy the public property and attack the police personnel. In self-defence, police had to resort to firing in which unfortunately some casualties are reported,” it added.

“The situation didn’t spiral on its own–it was engineered deliberately. Ladakh and its youth are paying huge price for the narrow politics played by certain individuals and personal ambitions by Sonam Wangchuk,” government sources told PTI.

“Congress leaders made statements that almost sounded like instructions for pelting stones, bandhs, arson,” goverment sources sources told PTI.

They also indicated that the Centre is now considering advancing October 6 meeting of High Powered Committee with ABL and KDA to September 25-26.

A curfew has been imposed across Leh following violent protests.

“In a democratic system, protesting is a right. However, it must be done in a peaceful manner. For the past two days, attempts were been made to incite people, and the protest held here was compared to those held in Bangladesh and Nepal. This smells of a conspiracy behind the protest,” he said.

“Those responsible for violence will be identified and stern action will be taken against them as per law of the land,” said LG Kavinder Gupta

“A fire was set at BJP office in Ladakh, RahulGandhi ji, its leader is your Gen Z, Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag, who is an elected ward member from the Congress party. will be the consequence of playing with fire? Stop challenging BJP workers,” the MP wrote on X.

” This man rioting in Ladakh is Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag, Congress Councillor for Upper Leh Ward. He can be clearly seen instigating the mob and participating in violence that targeted the BJP office and the Hill Council,” claimed BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya.

“We have been running a movement here for a long time on four issues of Ladakh …There were some incidents that led to acts of violence. During this violence, 2-3 young men have been martyred for our cause…I want to assure the people of Ladakh that we will not let the sacrifices made by these young people today go to waste,” said Thupstan Tswang, the Chirmain Apex body of Ladakh.

Addressing an online press conference, activist Sonam Wangchuk said two of the protesters, a 72-year-old man and a woman (62), were taken to a hospital on Tuesday, and claimed that it was most likely the immediate trigger for the violent protest.

Wangchuk said frustration had been building among the youths as the peaceful protests were not yielding any results. He also said there are reports that three to five youths were killed.

Giving the sequence of events, he said a large number of ‘Gen Z’ youths came to the protest site on Wednesday, where prayers were being held. He said 2,000-5,000 youth then took to the streets.

Visuals shared online showed security personnel attempting to stop the protesters amid a shutdown in Leh. The protest was held in support of the demand to advance the proposed talks with the Centre on extension of Sixth Schedule as well as statehood to Ladakh.

Leh activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a three-week fast and spearheading the agitation over Statehood ended his thunger strike after violence broke out.

“If agitating youth are worried about the fasting protesters and expressing their anger, we have decided to end our fast,” Wangchuk said

Reports suggest, violence broke out when the police tried to disperse the protesters assembled outside the BJP office.

The police used teargas shells to disperse the protesters amid reports of stone pelting. Several vehicles were also set on fire during the clashes between the BJP supporters and the LAB activists. The police have not issued any statement on what sparked violence outside the BJP office.

An assembly of five or more persons has been banned in Leh following protests by locals demanding statehood. An order from the District Magistrate said no procession, rally or march will be carried out without prior written approval.

Violent protests broke out outside the BJP office in Leh amid a shutdown call by Leh Apex Body. The protestors had gathered to demand for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, which locals say need time-bound, result-oriented talks.

Ladakh protesters are upset with the government over the Centre’s delay to hold “result-oriented” talks, which include granting Statehood and Sixth Schedule status to the region.

“I am deeply saddened to report that widespread violence and vandalism erupted in Leh city. Several offices and police vehicles were set on fire. Yesterday, two of those who had been on a 35-day fast here had to be taken to the hospital, in very critical condition. This sparked widespread anger, and a complete shutdown was declared across Leh today. Thousands of young people came out. Some people think they were our supporters. The entire Leh is our supporter. But this was a Gen Z revolution. They have been unemployed for the last 5 years… They are being excluded from jobs… I’ve always said that this is the recipe for social unrest: keeping young people unemployed and snatching away their democratic rights,” he said.

Violence erupted in Leh on Wednesday as protesters, demanding for statehood and the extension of the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule, took to the street and set several vehicles ablaze. According to reports, protesters torched a security vehicle and stormed the BJP office, burning furniture, papers and one of the buildings inside the compound.

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“NCW has taken suo motu cognizance of th case involving Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati (alias Parth Sarthy), Director & member of the management committee of Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management, New Delhi, accused of sexual harassment, molestation, and abuse of over 15 female students, including those under the EWS scholarship program. Reports indicate that the accused used obscene language, sent lewd messages, made unwanted advances, and faculty/staff allegedly pressured students to comply with his illegal demands. A detailed status report has been sought within 3 says,” it wrote on X.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday offered condolences to the families of those killed due to torrential rains and flooding in Kolkata and urged both the state and central governments to act swiftly to restore normalcy.

Kolkata struggled to return to normalcy on Wednesday as several areas, particularly Salt Lake and pockets of the north and central parts of the city, remained waterlogged, a day after torrential rain left at least 10 people dead, nine of them due to electrocution.

The downpour — among the heaviest in nearly four decades — left Kolkata and adjoining districts paralysed on Tuesday, crippling air, rail and road transport, shutting educational institutions, and prompting the state government to advance Puja holidays.

PTI

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) on Monday wrote to the Ministry of Civil Aviation demanding the constitution of a Court of Inquiry (Judicial Probe) into the investigation of the fatal crash of Air India Flight AI 171 on June 12, 2025, according to ANI.

In a formal letter dated September 22, addressed to the Civil Aviation Minister, the FIP said the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) had “fundamentally and irrevocably compromised the integrity, impartiality, and legality of the ongoing investigation.” The FIP alleged that the AAIB’s conduct has “moved beyond mere procedural irregularity into the realm of manifest bias and unlawful action.

A massive protest in Leh demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule turned violent, with demonstrators clashing with police. During the unrest, the BJP office in Leh was set on fire, escalating tensions in the region.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that Sadaqat Ashram, the venue of the CWC meeting in Patna, has been a historic center of the freedom movement and a workplace for many prominent Congress leaders. He emphasized the significance of the meeting, noting that India is facing multiple challenges at both national and international levels. Kharge also raised concerns about alleged tampering with voter lists, calling attention to threats to democratic processes.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge launched a strong attack on the BJP on Wednesday, accusing the party of “vote chori” and communal polarization. He asserted that the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections would mark the beginning of the end of the Modi government’s “corrupt rule.”

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited Nimgaon village in Solapur district to take stock of the flood situation. His visit comes amid rising water levels in the region following heavy rainfall, which has led to flooding in several areas. The water level of the Sina River in Solapur has risen sharply following continuous heavy rainfall, leading to flooding in several parts of the district. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as residents in low-lying areas face increasing challenges due to the overflowing river.