• Source:JND
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Ladakh Protest: Internet services have been suspended in Leh following the arrest of an activist, Sonam Wangchuk, on Friday. This internet shutdown comes two days after violent clashes erupted between police and protestors who are demanding statehood for Ladakh. 

At least four people were killed and 80 others were injured during violent clashes on Wednesday. The protestors also set ablaze the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters. The Apex Body Leh, which is spearheading the statehood movement for Ladakh, has distanced itself from the violence that erupted on Wednesday, September 24, saying that its protest has been largely peaceful and attributed the unrest to a section of youth who acted independently. 

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The organisation also denied any involvement of activist Sonam Wangchuk in the clashes, noting that he was observing a hunger strike at the time.

“Our movement will be peaceful and nonviolent to disseminate this, we started prayers of all the religions. When Sonam Wangchuk started the Hunger Strike, a few people were there. We used to call people from villages. We called for a Leh Bandh on September 24,” the organisation said in a statement.

A member of the Apex Body Leh further stated that despite efforts by senior leaders to control the protestors, some individuals went ahead and vandalised the BJP headquarters.

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Following the violent clashes, curfew was imposed in Leh town for the third consecutive day on Friday. The curfew was imposed on Wednesday evening after large-scale protests left four people dead and around 80 others injured. According to officials, no fresh incidents have been reported in Ladakh in the last two days following the unrest.