India, Sept. 24 -- Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday announced ending the hunger strike in Leh soon after violent protests broke out over statehood demand for Ladakh.

Soon after the protest broke out, Wangchuk called for peace even as he urged people to stop the violence, saying that it damages the cause.

A massive protest broke out in Leh as protestors and pelted stones and clashed with the police, who in turn fired teargas shells and resorted to baton charge to control the crowd.

The protest was held in support of the demand to advance the proposed talks with the Centre on extension of Sixth Schedule as well as statehood to Ladakh.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Hindustan Times....