Around 5,000 to 6,000 protesters took to the streets of Leh on Wednesday, and the demonstration quickly escalated into violence. Vehicles were set on fire, a BJP office was attacked, and government buildings were vandalised, prompting security forces to respond with firing, tear gas, and baton charges. The clashes left 17 CRPF personnel injured and more than 70 civilians hurt.

In the aftermath, Ladakh’s Director General of Police SD Singh Jamwal defended the arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, saying that his protest platform had provided space for violent elements to act. Jamwal also noted that investigators were looking into a possible Pakistan link, citing Wangchuk’s prior visits across the border and alleged interactions with Islamabad officials. "Planning and coordination was done in advance," the DGP asserted, adding that the arrest was necessary to prevent further escalation.

At a briefing, Jamwal said that while the government is negotiating with the Leh Apex Body and the KDA, Wangchuk’s demands for statehood and 6th Schedule status were causing hurdles and “sabotaging” the decision-making process.

Ladakh DGP SD Singh Jamwal stated: "Since Ladakh became a UT, there has been political demand here for the 6th Schedule and Statehood. Leh Apex Body and KDA have had long deliberations with the government. This is an ongoing process, but efforts were also being made to sabotage and vitiate this process. A so-called environmental activist and other such groups with a question mark on their credibility tried to hijack this platform. The first name here is Sonam Wangchuk. He had said and done things earlier, too, to thwart this process. Hunger protest was made a platform where elements were invited to vitiate peace & law and order here. Preliminary talks were already scheduled on 25-26 September in Delhi."

A Pakistan PIO suspected of links to Sonam Wangchuk was also detained, and an investigation is underway. Jamwal said the individual had been "in touch" with Wangchuk.

He said, "We also arrested a PIO from Pakistan in the recent past who was in contact with him (Sonam Wangchuk) and feeding back across. We have a history of this. He had been to a Dawn event in Pakistan. He had gone to Bangladesh too. So, there is a huge question mark on him. Investigation is being carried out."

The DGP also accused Wangchuk of instigating unrest, stating, "Sonam Wangchuk has had a track record of inciting. He has compared with the Arab Spring, Nepal and Bangladesh. The inquiry into his funding is underway for FCRA violation."

Talking about the unrest, Jamwal described how "a 5000-6000 strong group marched and damaged government buildings and party offices." He added that the crowd assembled in Leh on Wednesday, even though talks with the Centre were already scheduled in Delhi for the following days.

He further said, "CRPF jawans were mercilessly thrashed, one jawan still remains hospitalised with a serious spinal cord injury… 4 female Police personnel were in the same complex when their building caught fire… firing had to be resorted to in self-defence and 4 lives were lost." He added that 70–80 security personnel and a similar number of civilians were injured, including a girl who had to be flown to Delhi for advanced treatment.

The DGP said that 32 people were seriously injured on the first day and he himself was attacked but survived with minor injuries.

"Firing was in self-defence, and 4 lives were lost. 32 personnel were grievously injured on the first day, and subsequently, several more were injured. I too was attacked, but I luckily escaped with minor injuries. Among the grievously injured personnel, 17 belonged to the CRPF and 15 to the Ladakh Police. Later, the figure increased to 70-80. 70-80 civilians were also injured. 7 of them were grievously injured; one girl was flown to Delhi for advanced medical assistance. 6-7 are still in Ladakh hospital," he explained.

Jamwal confirmed that 44 people had been arrested. "We have arrested 44 individuals till now. The principal ring leaders have been apprehended. Sonam Wangchuk, the principal operator, has been dispatched out under NSA charges," he said.

When asked about prior intelligence, the DGP said: "We did have Intelligence, only then was the deployment made. Police deployment and arrangement are always intelligence-based."