Prominent Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk has been detained by Indian police following unrest in the region that resulted in four fatalities and numerous injuries. Authorities accused Wangchuk of instigating violent protests, which escalated when activists, primarily from the youth demographic, clashed with police in Leh. The protests triggered the torching of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s regional office and police vehicles.

In response to the violence, which included police using live fire, a curfew was imposed and mobile internet services were suspended. Since the Indian government revoked Ladakh’s autonomy in 2019, the region has witnessed ongoing political tensions, with local residents demanding statehood, constitutional protections for Indigenous communities, and job reservations for locals.

Wangchuk had recently concluded a 14-day hunger strike aimed at protesting these issues. The Indian interior ministry claimed his speeches had incited the unrest, leading to the suspension of his NGO, the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh. He has denied these allegations, attributing the violence to widespread frustration with the central government. Dialogue between Ladakhi leaders and the government is ongoing, with the next round of talks scheduled for October 6.



Read full article at www.aljazeera.com