Ladakh protest: Sonam Wangchuk arrested after 4 killed in Leh violence

Activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested Friday, two days after at least four people died when statehood protests turned violent in Ladakh's Leh district.

Ladakh Protest: Activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested Friday, two days after at least four people died when statehood protests turned violent in Ladakh’s Leh district. According to preliminary reports, Wangchuk has been booked under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), and was yet to be shifted to a jail following his arrest.

As per officials, Wangchuk, who ended his 15-day hunger strike after violent protests erupted in Leh on Wednesday, was taken into custody by a police team led Ladakh DGP S D Singh Jamwal at 2.30 pm.

Earlier, the Home Ministry had accused Sonam Wangchuk of issuing provocative statements which it claimed “guided” the Leh violence. However, the activist, who was leading a hunger strike in support of the demands, denied the charges, and denounced the violence and also ended the fortnight-long fast following the violence on Wednesday.

Wangchuk is a senior member of Leh Apex Body (LAB) which along with Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which is spearheading agitation in support of the demands for the past over five years.

Violent protests erupted in Leh as supporters of the Wangchuk’s movement for movement for Ladakh statehood and extension of Sixth Schedule of Constitution resorted to arson and clashed with the police, leaving four persons dead and 90 others injured,