Former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) SP Vaid has expressed deep concern over the violence in Leh during activist Sonam Wangchuk’s ongoing hunger strike, alleging that the unrest was politically motivated and not a spontaneous outburst.
Speaking to ANI, Vaid questioned the timing of the incident, noting that the Government of India and Ladakh’s leadership were already scheduled to hold talks on September 25–26 and October 6. “Who benefits from this? Who is the real trigger? Four lives were lost, dozens injured, and property destroyed. Accountability must be fixed,” he said.
Rejecting claims that the violence stemmed from public frustration, Vaid suggested a larger political motive. Referring to Wangchuk’s past comments on global protest movements, he claimed there was a “deep-rooted conspiracy” and called for strict legal action, including the use of the Public Safety Act, against those responsible for inciting unrest.
The former DGP further alleged that the violence was pre-planned, citing targeted attacks on the BJP office, local Hill Council, CRPF vehicles, and other public property. He accused Congress of backing stone-pelting and shutdown calls, claiming opposition parties were attempting to exploit the crisis for political gain.
While condemning the violence, Vaid argued that Ladakh’s youth had been misled. “They believe they are fighting for a righteous cause, but are being exploited by politicians. Issues like unemployment should be addressed through democratic channels, not violence,” he said.
Wangchuk, who began his hunger strike on September 10 demanding Sixth Schedule protections and statehood for Ladakh, has been at the centre of the protests. The agitation turned violent earlier this week, resulting in clashes with police and widespread damage.
The Ministry of Home Affairs stressed that dialogue with Ladakh’s representatives is ongoing through the High-Powered Committee (HPC) and related mechanisms. The government highlighted progress including enhanced tribal reservations, women’s representation in councils, recognition of Bhoti and Purgi as official languages, and recruitment for 1,800 posts.
Despite these steps, officials say some politically motivated groups have attempted to derail the dialogue process. The next HPC meeting is set for October 6, with preliminary discussions already scheduled for September 25–26.
