Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested by police today, two days after violent protests in Leh left four people dead and more than 50 others injured, sources said.

Wangchuk, a Magsaysay Award winner, is accused of inciting the violence. He was scheduled to address a virtual press conference from Leh but was taken into custody shortly before it began. The Zoom meeting went live, but the activist never appeared.

The protests, organised to demand Sixth Schedule status and statehood for Ladakh, turned violent on Wednesday when demonstrators clashed with security forces. In the aftermath, Wangchuk ended his planned 35-day hunger strike on 15th day.

The union Home Ministry accused him of instigating protesters through provocative speeches. A day later, it also revoked the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence of the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), an institution founded by Wangchuk.

Since Wednesday police in Ladakh have intensified crackdown on anti-social elements with more than 50 people already detained. Investigators are also probing possible external involvement in the unrest, officials added.

Wangchuk began his 35-day hunger strike on September 9, accusing the Centre of deliberately delaying dialogue with Ladakhi leaders. He recalled that the BJP, in its 2020 Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council manifesto, had promised Sixth Schedule protections for the region but has since avoided serious discussion on the matter.

On September 20, the union Home Ministry announced that talks with Ladakhi leadership would resume and scheduled the next round for October 6.