Ladakh climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday denied BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya’s accusation that Congress councillor instigated the protesters that led to violence during statehood agitation in Ladakh, saying the grand old party doesn’t enjoy such an influence in the area.
At least four people were killed and more than 70 others injured after police opened fire on students and youth who were protesting over Ladakh statehood demand in Leh.
The agitation turned violent after some protesters set a local BJP office on fire, prompting police action.
Following the incident, authorities imposed curfew in the Leh district to prevent further escalation of the violence.
After the violence, Malviya shared pictures and videos of the protest purportedly featuring a Congress councillor.
He alleged that Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag, the Congress Councillor for Upper Leh Ward, instigated the protesters who targeted the BJP office.
“This man rioting in Ladakh is Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag, Congress Councillor for Upper Leh Ward. He can be clearly seen instigating the mob and participating in violence that targeted the BJP office and the Hill Council. Is this the kind of unrest Rahul Gandhi has been fantasising about?” Malviya said.
However, reacting to the BJP leader’s accusations, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was leading the 35-day hunger strike in Leh, said that the councillor was angry as two youth of his village were injured.
Wangchuk also rejected Malviya’s allegations of Congress involvement, saying the “Congress doesn’t have such influence here that it can manage to get 5000 youth on the roads.”
“A Congress councillor yesterday reached a hospital in anger because two people from his village were brought injured to the hospital,” he added.