Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 24: Authorities in Leh have registered a case against Congress councillor Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag after his photograph, purportedly showing him carrying a weapon during protests, went viral on social media. Tsepag, who represents Upper Leh Ward, has also come under scrutiny for a speech delivered on Tuesday, which police allege may have incited unrest.
According to sources, law enforcement agencies are reviewing video and audio evidence of his address to determine whether it amounts to provocation of public disorder or poses a threat to communal harmony.
The action follows violent clashes in Leh on September 24, when protests demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule spiraled out of control. Demonstrators set the BJP office on fire, torched a police vehicle, and clashed with security forces, who resorted to baton charges and tear gas to restore order.
The violence has triggered a sharp political confrontation between the BJP and Congress. BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya accused Tsepag of “leading the mob” and “instigating people to attack the BJP office and the Hill Council building.” In a post on X, Malviya linked the incident to what he described as Rahul Gandhi’s “politics of agitation.” The BJP later amplified the charge by circulating images of Tsepag online, alleging his involvement in arson and violence.
The Congress, however, has continued to back Ladakh’s long-standing demands for constitutional safeguards, protection of land and jobs, and preservation of local culture. Party leaders argue that inclusion under the Sixth Schedule is crucial to safeguard Ladakh’s fragile ecology and indigenous communities.
The BJP has countered by accusing the opposition of “fuelling unrest” in the region for political gain. |
