NEW DELHI: Around 5,000–6,000 protesters poured into Leh's streets this Wednesday, their anger spilling over into arson and stone-pelting. Government buildings were damaged, a BJP office was attacked, and vehicles set ablaze as the agitation over Ladakh's demands for statehood turned violent. Security forces responded with tear gas, baton charges, and even firing, leaving 17 CRPF personnel injured and more than 70 civilians hurt. In the aftermath of the chaos, Ladakh's director general of police SD Singh Jamwal defended the arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, saying his protest platform provided space for violence to erupt. Jamwal said investigators were probing a possible Pakistan link, pointing to Wangchuk's prior visits across the border and alleged interactions with Islamabad

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