The Ladakh Police chief described the environmentalist as the key figure behind Wednesday’s violence that left four people dead and scores injured. On Friday, Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act and sent to a jail in Jodhpur, Rajasthan
The police chief also pointed to some of Sonam Wangchuk’s foreign visits, calling them suspicious. File pic
Ladakh Director General of Police SD Singh Jamwal on Saturday said Sonam Wangchuk is being investigated for allegedly having links with Pakistan, following last month’s arrest of an intelligence operative from the neighbouring country who had reportedly sent videos of the environment activist’s protests across the border, news agency PTI reported.
Jamwal described Wangchuk as the key figure behind Wednesday’s violence that left four people dead and scores injured.
On Friday, Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act and sent to a jail in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
“What has been found in the investigation (against Wangchuk) cannot be disclosed at this moment. The process is ongoing, and if you look at his profile and history, it is all available on YouTube. His speech acted as instigation, as he talked about the Arab Spring and the recent unrest in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. He had his own agenda. There is a probe into foreign funding and violation of FCRA against him. We have a PIO with us who was reporting across the border, sending videos of the protests led by Wangchuk,” Jamwal said.
The police chief also pointed to some of Wangchuk’s foreign visits, calling them suspicious, PTI reported.
“He attended an event by The Dawn in Pakistan and also visited Bangladesh,” Jamwal told reporters.
Wangchuk has been the main face of the agitation led by the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, seeking statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to the Union Territory.
Jamwal said Wangchuk attempted to hijack the platform and disrupt dialogue between the Centre and Ladakh representatives. The Centre has invited leaders for a fresh round of talks on October 6, PTI reported.
“Just a day before the informal meeting, a deliberate attempt was made to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere through provocative videos and statements, which culminated in the violence on Wednesday and the unfortunate deaths,” he said.
Commenting on Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta’s remarks about a foreign conspiracy behind Wednesday’s violence, Jamwal said three Nepalese citizens were admitted to hospital with bullet injuries and involvement of some others has also come to light.
He added that 50 people have been taken into custody in connection with the violence, with at least half-a-dozen suspected to be ringleaders. “Obviously, Wangchuk, who was the main instigator, has been lodged in an outside jail,” the DGP said.
(With PTI inputs)
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