Ladakh violence: Pakistan link surfaces in probe against Sonam Wangchuk

At a press conference this afternoon, Ladakh Director General of Police (DGP) SD Singh Jamwal raised questions about Wangchuk’s visits abroad, including one to Pakistan, NDTV reported.

He alleged the activist had attended a Dawn event there and accused him of working to derail statehood talks with the Centre.

“We also arrested a Pakistan PIO in the recent past who was in touch with him and was reporting back across. We have a record of this. He (Wangchuk) had attended a Dawn event in Pakistan. He also visited Bangladesh. There is a big question mark on him,” DGP Jamwal said in response to an NDTV query.

 Speaking separately to NDTV’s Aditya Raj Kaul about the Pakistan Intelligence Operative (PIO), he added, “We found somebody who was sending things across. We have put that person on surveillance.”

Authorities plan to ease restrictions despite heightened tensions.

“We have decided to relax the curfew from 1 pm-3 pm in a staggered manner. It will be relaxed in the Old City. And in the new area, we will relax it from 3.30 pm-5.30 pm,” Jamwal was quoted as saying by the news organisation.

The police chief accused Mr Wangchuk of triggering last week’s unrest in Leh.

“Sonam Wangchuk has had a history of instigating (people). He has referred to the Arab Spring, Nepal, and Bangladesh,” he said.

He further claimed that the activist and others attempted to derail the ongoing dialogue with New Delhi.

“This involved some so-called environmental activists; there is a question mark on their credibility as well. They tried to hijack the platform, and the prime name here is Sonam Wangchuk, who has earlier also delivered such statements and worked to derail the process,” Jamwal alleged.

Jamwal also confirmed that financial scrutiny is part of the investigation.

“The FCRA violation is a clear-cut case; it will be investigated by another agency,” he said.