Four people were killed and at least 45 injured, including 22 police personnel, as the protests demanding statehood for Ladakh turned violent on Wednesday.

Amid large-scale violence, arson, and street clashes, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk called off his fortnight-long hunger strike to press for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.

The BJP office was vandalised and set on fire as were several vehicles. Flames and clouds of smoke could be seen from afar with police resorting to firing and teargas shelling to bring the situation under control.

According to officials, the administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS to ban the assembly of five or more people. Besides, Congress leader and councillor Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag was booked for alle

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