Of 4 who died in Leh, 3 in early 20s: ‘They had multiple bullet wounds on torso and head’

According to sources, Tharchin was an ex-armyman. And, a family member of Namgyal said he had been studying in Leh and had just started working with a travel agency. “He was a good boy. We cannot tell you more. Please understand. We are not supposed to talk to the media,” said a relative of Namgyal.

Family members of the other victims could not be contacted as authorities in Leh were tightlipped about their details and the deaths. Sources, however, confirmed that the bodies were handed to the families Thursday.

Smoke billows out from the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) Office as it set on fire during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

According to sources, more than 50 injured civilians were brought to the SNM Hospital in Leh on Wednesday afternoon. “Among the deceased, two were alive when they were brought here but succumbed to injuries later. They had multiple bullet wounds on the torso as well as head. Around half a dozen others had serious gunfire injuries but survived. Some others have fractured limbs and legs and are recuperating. Most, however, had pellet and baton wounds, and were discharged after treatment,” said sources in the hospital.

Also being treated at the hospital was Lobzang Rinchen — the uncle of Upper Leh Councillor Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag who, the BJP has claimed, is purportedly seen in video clips participating in the violence and targeting the BJP’s office. Tsepag is said to be on the run.

Rinchen, 56, who runs the Druk Ladakh Hotel in Leh, denied that Tsepag was part of the crowd when the violence broke out.

Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta chairs a high-level security review meeting. (Image source: @KavinderGupta/X via PTI)

According to Rinchen, Tsepag participated in the protests in the morning but came to the hotel by 12.50 pm. “The violence began only at 1.15 pm. We have CCTV footage to show he was at the hotel. In the evening, he went to the Councillors’ hostel,” Rinchen said.

“(The police) came to my hotel at 2 am and started abusing us and asking where Tsepag was. Despite telling them everything, they did not believe us. They later called me to the police station and beat me. Now I am here being treated for my injuries,” he said.

Ladakh DGP S D Singh Jamwal did not respond to calls and messages from The Indian Express seeking a response to Rinchen’s claims.

Wednesday’s violence erupted amid a shutdown called by student and youth organisations in support of their demands for statehood and extension of protections under the Sixth Schedule. The strike was called after two protesters, who had been on a hunger strike with activist Sonam Wangchuk to press these demands, fainted and had to be shifted to hospital.