Leh, Sep 26 (NationPress) Just three days after chaotic protests erupted in the town of Leh in the Union Territory of Ladakh, police detained climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on charges of inciting violence.

The Leh Police confirmed that multiple FIRs had been filed against Wangchuk for allegedly encouraging the unrest that began on September 24.

Wangchuk initiated a fast on September 10 alongside others in Leh, advocating for the region's inclusion in the 6th schedule, statehood, and safeguarding the delicate ecosystem of Ladakh.

Notably, he ended his fast on September 24, the same day violent confrontations escalated.

Violence erupted in Leh when unruly crowds engaged in stone-pelting against security personnel, set fire to a CRPF vehicle in an apparent attempt to harm the officers inside, attacked the BJP office, the office of Leh's apex body, and damaged the vehicle of the Ladakh DGP.

In response, security forces fired at the protesters, resulting in the deaths of four and injuring 70 others.

To restore order, authorities imposed a curfew in Leh and also extended it to Kargil on Thursday evening, detaining numerous protesters in the process.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a statement accusing Sonam Wangchuk of inciting the violence and holding him accountable for the chaos in Leh.

Additionally, the MHA revoked Wangchuk's FCRA registration certificate for breaching the FCRA Act.

Wangchuk, who received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018, refuted all charges, stating that his non-profit does not receive foreign donations, although it has engaged in business transactions with international organizations.

He remarked, "They misinterpreted it as foreign contributions. I consider it a mistake on their (the Centre's) part, and I don't take issue with it. However, it was wrongly perceived as foreign funding. It is not,” he clarified.

The police also filed FIRs against several individuals from Nepal and Doda town in Jammu, who were involved in the violence and are currently receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the clash with security forces.

It is worth noting that when Ladakh was designated a union territory in 2019, the move was met with widespread approval, a campaign that Sonam Wangchuk actively supported.

Subsequently, he has led protests and hunger strikes advocating for the inclusion of Ladakh in the 6th schedule, statehood, and other demands.

The central government and the UT administration are convinced that the severe violence in an otherwise tranquil border area of Ladakh was not organic but instigated by outside forces seeking to disrupt peace.