A movement demanding statehood for Ladakh turned violent on Wednesday, leaving four people dead and at least 80 injured, including 40 police officers.

Authorities imposed a curfew in Leh after street clashes and arson broke out. The violence forcing climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his two-week hunger strike calling for statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.

The government blamed Wangchuk for the unrest, alleging his “provocative statements” and the actions of “politically motivated” groups unhappy with ongoing negotiations between officials and Ladakhi representatives had incited protesters.

Read the full statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs:

1. A hunger strike was started by Sh Sonam Wangchuk on 10-09-2025 stating the demand of 6th schedule and statehood for Ladakh. It is well known that Government of India has been actively engaged with Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance on same issues. Series of meetings were held with them through formal channel of High-Powered Committee as well as Sub-committee and multiple informal meetings with leaders.
2. The process of dialogue through this mechanism has yielded phenomenal results by increasing reservations for Ladakh scheduled tribe from 45% to 84%, providing 1/3 women reservations in the councils and declaring Bhoti and Purgi as official languages. With this process for recruitment of 1800 posts was also commenced.
3. However, certain politically motivated individuals were not happy with the progress made under HPC has been trying to sabotage the dialogue process.
4. The next meeting of High-Powered Committee has been scheduled on 6th October while meetings are also planned on 25th and 26th September with the leaders from Ladakh.
5. The demands on which Mr Wangchuk was on hunger strike are integral part of the discussion in HPC. In spite of many leaders urging to call off the hunger strike he continued with the hunger strike and misleading the people through provocative mention of Arab Spring-style protest and references to Gen Z protests in Nepal.
6. On 24th September, at around 11.30 am, a mob instigated by his provocative speeches left the venue of the hunger strike and attacked a political party office as well as Government office of the CEC Leh. They also put these offices on fire, attacked the security personnel, and torched police vehicle. The unruly mob attacked the police personnel in which more than 30 police/CRPF personnel were injured. The mob continued to destroy the public property and attack the police personnel. In self-defence, police had to resort to firing in which unfortunately some casualties are reported.
7. Barring unfortunate incidents that happened early in the day, the situation is brought under control by 4PM.
8. It is clear that the mob was incited by Shri Sonam Wangchuk through his provocative statements. Incidentally, amidst these violent developments, he broke his fast and left for his village in an ambulance without making serious efforts to control the situation.
9. The Government stands committed to the aspiration of people of Ladakh by providing adequate constitutional safeguards.
10. It is also requested that the people should not circulate the old and provocative videos in the media and social media.

– Ends

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