Internet Services Suspended In Leh After Sonam Wangchuk’s Arrest

Security personnel try to stop agitators amid a protest and shutdown, in Leh, Ladakh, on Sept 24. (PTI photo)

The internet services have been suspended in Leh, hours after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested by police on Friday amid the unrest across Ladakh. Tensions in Leh escalated after violent protests led to four deaths and left more than 90 injured.

Wangchuk had been sitting on hunger strike since September 10, demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule. He ended the hunger strike after 15 days, on September 24, citing concerns over rising violence.

Wanchuk has also been criticised by the government with the home ministry blaming him of giving provocative speeches.

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday said,”A hunger strike was started by Sonam Wangchuk on September 10 stating the demand of (bringing the UT under) 6th schedule (of constitution) and statehood for Ladakh.”

Not only this, but the FCRA certificate of Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO has also been cancelled.

Amid the tensions, a curfew has also been imposed in several parts of the territory since the clashes.

Reacting to the violent clashes, Wangchuk had earlier said that the violent protests were a reflection of frustration with the federal government.

The protesters are demanding statehood for Ladakh and job quotas for local people, which would enable the creation of elected local bodies to protect its tribal areas.

Violent protests broke out in the union territory on Wednesday, with protestors torching vehicles and police vehicles, moving from a site where Wangchuk had been on hunger strike for 14 days. They clashed with police, who opened fire. Authorities said the police were acting in self-defence.