Tensions boiled over in Leh, Ladakh, on Tuesday when a hunger strike led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk turned violent, sparking clashes with police and damage to public buildings.
Wangchuk kicked off his fast on September 10 to push for Sixth Schedule protections and full statehood for Ladakh, a remote Himalayan region in northern India. The Indian government’s Ministry of Home Affairs says they’ve been in deep talks with local groups like the Apex Body Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance. Through a High-Powered Committee (HPC) and a sub-committee, plus informal chats with leaders, they’ve made real headway. For starters, they’ve bumped up job reservations for Ladakh’s scheduled tribes from 45 to 84 seats. They’ve also added one-third of spots for women in local councils, recognized Bhoti and Purgi as official languages, and started hiring for about 1,800 government positions.
But the ministry points the finger at some “politically motivated” folks unhappy with this progress, accusing them of trying to derail the talks. The next HPC meeting is set for October 6, with more sessions planned for September 25 and 26 to keep the dialogue going. Wangchuk’s key demands—Sixth Schedule status and statehood—are already on the table in these discussions. Even as other leaders called on him to end the strike, he kept going, drawing parallels to the Arab Spring uprisings and recent Gen Z protests in Nepal that stirred crowds.
Things escalated around 11:30 a.m. when a group, fired up by what the ministry calls Wangchuk’s “provocative speeches,” left the protest site. They targeted a local political party office and the Chief Executive Councilor’s (CEC) office in Leh, setting both on fire. The crowd also attacked security forces and burned a police vehicle. More than 30 police officers and CRPF personnel ended up injured in the chaos. As the mob kept pushing, destroying property and going after officers, police fired shots in self-defense, leading to some reported casualties.
By 4 p.m., authorities had the situation under control, though the early violence left its mark. The ministry blames Wangchuk directly for inciting the crowd with his words. In the middle of it all, he ended his hunger strike and headed to his village in an ambulance, without stepping in to calm things down.
India’s government remains committed to protecting Ladakh’s people with strong constitutional safeguards, the ministry stressed in its statement. They also urged folks not to share old or inflammatory videos on social media or news outlets, as it could stir more trouble.
This incident highlights the ongoing push for Ladakh’s autonomy amid years of protests, with residents seeking more say in their region’s future after it became a union territory in 2019.
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