The Leh region witnessed violence on Wednesday after the Ladakh statehood protest turned violent. Agitators clashed with police and torched the BJP office and a police station as the week-long protest led by Leh Apex Body (LAB) turned violent.
The youth wing of the LAB has been supporting the protest by activist Sonam Wangchuk demanding talks with the Centre on the extension of the Sixth Schedule as well as statehood to Ladakh. The incident came as a fresh round of talks is scheduled between the Centre and Ladakh representatives, comprising members of LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), on October 6.
The protesters had been observing a shutdown on Wednesday, and a march was taken out in this regard. However, it turned violent after they began pelting stones at the BJP office. Police intervened, resorting to tear-gas shelling and lathi-charging to disperse the violent crowds.
Additional forces have been deployed to restore order.