Overall security situation normal in Ladakh: LG
Uneasy calm prevails in city as police detains 50 people
Leh: The overall security situation remained normal in the Union Territory of Ladakh, Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta said on Thursday, a day after four people died and 90 others were injured in clashes between protesters and security personnel in Leh town.
Gupta also reiterated that his administration has taken all necessary steps including arresting those responsible for Wednesday’s violence.
Talking to PTI Videos here, the LG said some people do not want peace and development and are making attempts to disturb the law and order situation in the region.
“The violence that has taken place the previous day was promptly brought under control. The situation has improved and there was no untoward incident reported from anywhere after 4 pm yesterday,” he said.
Gupta said various necessary measures including strict implementation of section 163 of BNSS were taken to thwart attempts by inimical elements to disturb the situation.
“Out of 90 injured persons, only 19 are still admitted in the hospital and rest were discharged. Many of those admitted will be discharged by tomorrow (Friday) morning,” he said, reiterating his appeal to the residents of Ladakh to isolate those who are trying to disturb the situation.
“We are keeping a close watch on such persons and some of them have been arrested,” he said.
He said there was a bandh call in Kargil district which passed off peacefully. “Overall the situation across Ladakh remained normal.”
Without identifying anyone, he said some people do not want peace and development in Ladakh and are trying to disturb the situation.
“They have made references to the unrest in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal to instigate the local youth and their actions should not be tolerated. Action will be taken against them,” he said, in an apparent reference to the reported speeches of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
The LG said the Ministry of Home Affairs had already issued a detailed statement on the violence and role of some people in it.
Meanwhile, an uneasy calm prevailed in Ladakh as police and paramilitary troops strictly enforced a curfew in Leh town, a day after clashes between security personnel and protesters demanding statehood and constitutional protection left four people dead and more than 80 injured.
At least 50 people have been detained so far in connection with the violence that broke out on Wednesday during the shutdown called by Leh Apex Body (LAB) to demand an extension of the Sixth Schedule and statehood for Ladakh.
The protesters, according to officials, indulged in arson and violence, with mobs burning the BJP office, a number of vehicles, and ransacking the Hill Council headquarters.
“The situation in the curfew-hit areas is under control. There are no incidents to report from anywhere,” a police officer told PTI, confirming the detentions.
The escalation of violence had led climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to abandon his fortnight-long hunger strike, which he was undertaking in favour of the demands. Wangchuk has denounced the violence.
“This is the saddest day for Ladakh…the path we are treading for the last five years was peaceful,” Wangchuk said, appealing to the youth to “stop the violence forthwith as it only causes harm to our cause”.
The Centre, however, blamed the activist for the unrest, alleging that the mob violence was guided by his “provocative statements” and claiming that “politically motivated” people were unhappy with the progress of ongoing talks between the government and Ladakhi groups.
The Union Home Ministry, which reiterated its commitment to providing “adequate constitutional safeguards,” also noted that police are probing the possible involvement of foreign hands, citing that three of the injured were Nepalese citizens.
Wangchuk termed the home ministry’s allegations against him as a “scapegoat tactic” intended to avoid dealing with the Himalayan region’s core problems.
Reacting to the MHA’s statement that had blamed him for provoking the mob violence, Wangchuk said he is prepared to be arrested under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA).
“They may be clever in making somebody else a scapegoat, but they are not wise. At this time, we all need wisdom rather than ‘cleverness’ because youths are already frustrated,” Wangchuk said.
To prevent the escalation of unrest, strict prohibitory restrictions banning the assembly of five or more people were also placed in other major towns, including Kargil, where the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) had called a parallel shutdown.
Kargil District Magistrate Rakesh Kumar issued prohibitory orders under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, banning unauthorised processions and public statements likely to disturb peace.
Meanwhile, the Union Home Ministry cancelled the FCRA licence of Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) founded by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk with “immediate effect”, a government order said.
The action of the ministry was based on several alleged discrepancies detected in the accounts of the organisation including a fund transfer from Sweden which the ministry found was against “national interest”.
The CBI has launched an inquiry into alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) against the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL), an institution also founded by Wangchuk.
Wangchuk confirmed the inquiry, but maintained his institution does not seek foreign funds.
The LAB and KDA have been spearheading the agitation for statehood and Sixth Schedule extension for four years, with the next round of talks with the Centre scheduled for October 6.
