Ladakh DGP Blames “So-Called Environmental Activists” for Hijacking Statehood Movement; Defends Police Firing
Leh (Ladakh): Days after four people were killed in police firing during protests in Ladakh, Director General of Police S. D. Jamwal on Saturday defended the security action as “self-defence” and accused “so-called environmental activists” of hijacking the region’s movement for statehood and Sixth Schedule status.
Speaking at a press conference in Leh, Jamwal claimed that the protests, led in part by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, had been infiltrated by foreign elements and groups with questionable credibility. He said the violence on September 24, which left four dead and dozens injured, was unprecedented in the history of Ladakh.
Allegations Against Wangchuk
Jamwal directly targeted Sonam Wangchuk, who was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) and moved to a jail in Jodhpur on Friday.
“Sonam Wangchuk, if you see his profile and history on YouTube, you can see how he instigates. He talks about the Arab Spring, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. He has an agenda,” Jamwal said.
He also alleged possible foreign funding violations and said investigations were underway under the FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act).
According to the DGP, police had earlier detained a Pakistani “Person of Interest” who was sending reports about Wangchuk across the border. “We have records of him attending an event of Pakistani newspaper Dawn and then visiting Bangladesh,” Jamwal added.
Involvement of Foreign Nationals
Jamwal further claimed that Nepalese nationals were among those injured in the violence.
“On the first day, when injured people were shifted, two Nepalese with bullet injuries were admitted to the hospital. Later, we verified three or four more,” he said.
Violence on September 24
The DGP described the events of September 24 as a “massive attack” on government institutions. He said around 5,000–6,000 people had gathered at the site of Wangchuk’s hunger strike, and while many were peaceful, a section broke away and resorted to arson and stone pelting.
“Government buildings, establishments, and political party offices were attacked. One political party’s office was destroyed and set on fire. Our forces deployed to protect institutions were inside the premises and came under heavy attack,” Jamwal stated.
He recounted that 17 CRPF personnel and 15 police officers were injured. One CRPF soldier suffered a serious spinal injury, while four women police officers were trapped in a building that was set ablaze.
“All bureaucrats present in the council headquarters were in danger. To stop this massive attack, police had to open fire in self-defence. Unfortunately, four lives were lost,” he said.
Casualties and Injuries
According to police data, 32 people sustained severe injuries, while the total number of civilian injuries was around 80. Seven were critically wounded, including a young girl who was airlifted to Delhi for treatment.
“Movement Hijacked”
Jamwal insisted that the original political demand for Ladakh’s Sixth Schedule safeguards and statehood was being addressed through institutional mechanisms, including a High Power Committee and sub-committees involving the central government, Apex Body Leh, and Kargil Democratic Alliance.
“Mr. Sonam Wangchuk has done a lot to derail this process. Certain groups with questionable credibility, posing as environmental activists, hijacked the platform and misled the people,” he said.
Analysts Warn of Bigger Design
Security analysts observing the developments said that powerful lobbies, both inside and outside the country, were suspected of instigating violent movements in India.
They pointed to the turmoil in several smaller countries surrounding India, where foreign-backed forces allegedly indulged in large-scale violence and in some cases succeeded in overthrowing governments.
“These forces must realise that applying a similar template to India is a complete miscalculation,” analysts said. “India is too powerful a nation—politically, socially, and institutionally—to be shaken by either external or internal destabilising forces.”
The DGP’s remarks, coupled with the analysts’ warnings, highlight a growing narrative that what unfolded in Ladakh may have been more than just a local agitation—it may have been an attempt to test India’s resilience against coordinated disruptive strategies.
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