Leh: At least 50 were arrested following violent clashes in Leh on Wednesday, as police moved in to control a protest over demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards.
The unrest, which escalated during the day’s demonstrations, left at least four dead and dozens injured. Authorities say many among those detained are linked to the protest that turned into arson and stone-pelting near the BJP office and other public buildings. Congress councillor Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag was booked for allegedly making a provocative speech a day earlier, which the administration claims contributed to the escalation, reported India Today.
BJP alleges Congress role in incitement
In a press conference, BJP MP and national spokesperson Sambit Patra claimed that Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepang, a Congress councillor from the Upper Leh ward, was the “main instigator” behind the violence. He alleged Tsepang marched toward the BJP office “with a weapon in his hand,” and that photos and videos showed him and his workers fomenting unrest.
Patra further accused Congress of trying to portray the protests as a “Gen Z” youth movement, but said BJP investigations revealed them to be orchestrated by Congress. “Attempts were made to portray some protests as being led by ‘Gen Z’ but … it was found that this was not a Gen Z protest but actually a Congress protest,” he said.
Patra also leveled broader attacks on Congress, alleging its involvement in “nefarious design” and accusing Rahul Gandhi of instigating youth unrest in India.
Responding to the BJP’s claims, Sonam Wangchuk, the leader of the statehood agitation, rejected the notion that Congress could mobilize thousands in Leh. “Congress doesn’t have such influence here that it can manage to get 5,000 youth on the roads,” he said in a video statement.
Wangchuk also described the protest as “youth’s anger” — a “Gen-Z revolution” — that turned violent under pressure. “The violence overpowered our peaceful protest,” he said, adding that frustration had been building among young people whose peaceful protests had not yielded results.
The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, called the clashes a conspiracy and pledged action against those involved. A criminal case (FIR) has been lodged naming the Congress councillor for alleged involvement in violence and arson.
The Home Ministry said it brought the situation under control by 4 pm on Wednesday. It cautioned against circulation of “old and provocative videos” and affirmed the government’s commitment to constitutional safeguards for Ladakh.
Government sources also attributed responsibility to Wangchuk, alleging his “provocative statements” incited the mob. They claimed that the protests were not spontaneous but “deliberately engineered.”
In its statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs said:
“A mob motivated by his provocative speeches … attacked a political party office as well as the government office of the CEC Leh … It is clear that the mob was guided by Sonam Wangchuk through his provocative statements.”
Officials also said over 30 security personnel were injured during the violence.
Following the violent escalation, Sonam Wangchuk called off his 15-day hunger strike demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule.
The Leh administration imposed curfew and prohibitory orders, restricting assembly of more than five persons in certain areas.
A fresh round of talks between Ladakh representatives and the Centre is scheduled for October 6 to discuss constitutional safeguards and the statehood demand.
The protests reflect longstanding grievances in the region around autonomy, rights over land and resources, and unmet expectations post the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.