Govt blames Sonam Wangchuk for inciting Ladakh Violence; 4 Dead, 89 Injured
25 Sep 2025 13:41:31
Four people were killed and 89 others injured, including over 30 police and CRPF personnel, after violent protests broke out in Leh on Thursday following the hunger strike of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, whom the government accused of inciting the mob through provocative statements and misleading references.
According to government of India’s press release, “A hunger strike was started by Sh Sonam Wangchuk on 10-09-2025 stating the demand of 6th schedule and statehood for Ladakh. It is well known that Government of India has been actively engaged with Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance on same issues. Series of meetings were held with them through formal channel of High-Powered Committee as well as Sub-committee and multiple informal meetings with leaders.
The process of dialogue through this mechanism has yielded phenomenal results by increasing reservations for Ladakh scheduled tribe from 45% to 84%, providing 1/3 women reservations in the councils and declaring Bhoti and Purgi as official languages. With this process for recruitment of 1800 posts was also commenced.
However, 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 6t October while meetings are also planned on 25th and 26th September with the leaders from Ladakh.
The demands on which Mr Wangchuk was on hunger strike are integral part of the discussion in HPC. In spite of many leaders urging to call off the hunger strike he continued with the hunger strike and misleading the people through provocative mention of Arab Spring-style protest and references to Gen Z protests in Nepal.
On 24th September, at around 11.30 am, a mob instigated 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. 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.
Barring unfortunate incidents that happened early in the day, the situation is brought under control by 4PM.
It is clear that the mob was incited by Shri Sonam Wangchuk through his provocative statements. Incidentally, amidst these violent developments, he broke his fast and left for his village in an ambulance without making serious efforts to control the situation.
The Government stands committed to the aspiration of people of Ladakh by providing adequate constitutional safeguards.
It is also requested that the people should not circulate the old and provocative videos in the media and social media”.
The District Magistrate of Leh issued strict restrictions following violent protests. The order bans rallies, processions, or assemblies of five or more people without prior approval, restricts the use of loudspeakers, and prohibits statements that could disturb public peace or create law and order problems.