NEW DELHI: Ladakh DGP Dr SD Singh Jamwal on Saturday briefed about the September 24 violence, which saw violent protests, with 17 CRPF personnel injured and over 70 civilians hurt in stone-pelting and clashes between protesters and authorities.

Speaking about the unrest, he described how “a 5000-6000 strong group marched and damaged government buildings and party offices.”The DGP said that on Wednesday, a crowd gathered in Leh despite talks already scheduled with the Centre in Delhi for the following days. He claimed “CRPF jawans were brutally beaten up, one jawan is still in hospital with a serious spinal injury… 4 women Police personnel were in the same building when it was set on fire… firing was done in self-defence and 4 lives were lost.” He added that 70–80 security personnel and a similar number of civilians were injured, including a girl who had to be airlifted to Delhi.

Furthermore, Jamwal said a Pakistan PIO was arrested who was associated with Sonam Wangchuk.

The DGP said: “We also arrested a Pakistan PIO in the recent past who was in touch with him (Sonam Wangchuk) and reporting back across. We have a record of this. He had attended a Dawn event in Pakistan. He also visited Bangladesh. So, there is a big question mark on him…Investigation is being done.”The violence was followed by the arrest of Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act, with authorities accusing him of inciting unrest through provocative speeches.Group credibility attempted to hijack this platformDuring the briefing, the DGP said that the government is already working with the Leh Apex Body and KDA, but environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk is demanding 6th Schedule status and statehood, creating obstacles and “sabotaging” the decision-making process.Ladakh DGP Dr SD Singh Jamwal said: “Ever since Ladakh became a UT, there has been a political demand here for 6th Schedule and Statehood. Leh Apex Body and KDA have had lengthy discussions with the government…This is an ongoing process but attempts were also being made to sabotage and vitiate this process. A so-called environmental activist and other such groups with a question mark on their credibility attempted to hijack this platform. The first name here is Sonam Wangchuk. He had said and done things earlier as well to derail this process…The hunger protest was made a platform where elements were invited to vitiate peace & law and order here…Preliminary talks were already planned on 25-26 Sept in Delhi. The DGP described how 32 people were severely injured on the first day, and he himself was attacked but survived with minor injuries.“Surprisingly, on 24th Sept a large group gathered and it was joined by a large number of anti-social elements. A 5000-6000 strong group marched and damaged govt buildings and party offices here. They pelted stones and attacked forces…CRPF jawans were brutally beaten up, one jawan is still in hospital with a serious spinal injury…4 women Police personnel were in the same building when it was set on fire…An even bigger mob came here and attacked this building...Firing was done in self-defence and 4 lives were lost. 32 people were severely injured on the first day and after that several more were injured. I too was attacked but I luckily survived with minor injuries…Of the severely injured personnel, 17 were from CRPF and 15 from Ladakh Police…Later, the number rose to 70-80. 70-80 civilians were also injured. Of them, 7 were critically injured; one girl was airlifted to Delhi for advanced medical help. 6-7 are still in Ladakh hospital, ” the DGP said.Jamwal confirmed that the police has arrested 44 people. “We have arrested 44 people so far. The main ring leaders have been nabbed. Sonam Wangchuk, the main player, has been sent out under NSA charges,” the DGP said.