Srinagar, Sep 30 (NationPress) The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check, which serves as the government's tool for combating misinformation, disclosed on Tuesday that a deepfake video is making rounds on social media. This video features the Director General of Police (DGP) of Ladakh, S.S. Singh, allegedly stating that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was detained on orders from the Defence Minister.

To clarify the situation, PIB shared the authentic video from the DGP’s press conference, where he discussed the specifics surrounding Sonam Wangchuk’s detention.

In its fact-check announcement on X, the PIB stated, “A digitally manipulated video of Director General of Police (DGP) Ladakh Dr. S.D. Singh is circulating on social media, in which he makes unsubstantiated claims that Sonam Wangchuk was arrested under the directives of the Indian Defence Minister. PIBFactCheck DGP Ladakh has made NO such announcement.”

Sonam Wangchuk was arrested under the National Security Act (NSA) and transported to Jodhpur Jail in Rajasthan. DGP S.D. Singh informed reporters that Wangchuk was apprehended for inciting violence in Leh on September 24.

The incident led to the deaths of four individuals and injuries to 70 others when police opened fire on rioters in Leh.

Numerous security personnel also sustained injuries from stone pelting and assaults by the unruly mob, according to police reports.

The mob set ablaze a CRPF vehicle, aiming to harm the personnel inside, as stated by the Leh administration.

In addition to this, the mob attacked and set fire to the local BJP office and the Leh Apex Body’s office, destroying other vehicles while the DGP narrowly escaped with minor injuries.

A curfew was imposed in Leh on September 24, which remains in effect with intermittent relaxations.

The curfew was lifted on Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. A team from the MHA arrived in Leh on September 24 to engage with representatives of the Leh Apex Body in discussions aimed at maintaining ongoing dialogue with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The chairman of the Leh Apex Body, Thupstan Chhewang, stated in a press conference on Monday that dialogue with the MHA would not proceed unless the purported ‘atmosphere of fear, grief, and anger’ in Ladakh is addressed.

Sajjad Kargilli, a member of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), also held a press conference attributing the violence of September 24 to the Ladakh administration.

Kargilli asserted that the demands for statehood and inclusion in the 6th Schedule are ‘non-negotiable’ for the people of Ladakh.

Both the Leh Apex Body and the KDA have been leading efforts for these demands and have called for the unconditional release of Sonam Wangchuk and other youths detained following the mob violence.

Meanwhile, the MHA released a statement on Monday reiterating the Government of India's commitment to continue dialogue with the Leh Apex Body, emphasizing that dialogue is the only path forward to address the concerns raised by the representatives.