The Ladakh Police have accused Sonam Wangchuk of instigating the September 24 Leh violence.
Ladakh Protest: Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was arrested for “guiding” Leh violence with his “provocative statements”, was allegedly in touch with a Pakistani PIO, hinting that the September 24 carnage in the hill district may have been instigated by foreign powers, the Ladakh Police has claimed.
Did Sonam Wangchuk instigate Leh violence?
Addressing a presser in Leh on Saturday, Ladakh Director General of Police (DGP), SD Singh Jamwal said they have arrested 44 people, including Wangchuk, connection with the September 24 Leh violence. The police chief dubbed Sonam Wangchuk as the “main ring leader” of the violent protest, and said the activist has been booked under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).
“We have arrested 44 people so far…The main ring leaders have been nabbed. Sonam Wangchuk, the main player, has been sent out under NSA charges,” he said.
Sonam Wangchuk’s Pakistan connection?
Earlier, Jamwal alleged that Wangchuk had a connection with Pakistan and raised questions over his visits to the neighbouring countries, adding that the police have arrested a Pakistan PIO who was allegedly in touch with the activist.
“We arrested a Pakistan PIO in the recent past who was reporting back across. We have a record of this. He (Sonam Wanghchuk) had attended a Dawn event in Pakistan. He also visited Bangladesh. So, there is a big question mark on him…Investigation is being done.”
The DGP claimed that Sonam Wangchuk has a history of instigating violence, and the carnage on September 24 was a result of his statements hailing the Arab Spring and the protests in Nepal and Bangladesh. “Sonam Wangchuk has had a history of instigating. He has referred to the Arab Spring, Nepal and Bangladesh. The investigation into his funding is going on for FCRA violation,” the officer said.
Why Wangchuk was arrested?
Activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested Friday, two days after four people died when statehood protests turned violent in Ladakh’s Leh district. According to reports, Wangchuk has been booked under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), and lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail.
The Home Ministry has 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.
