Leh, Oct 05: As the Union Territory of Ladakh grapples with the aftermath of last week’s violent protests that claimed four lives and injured over 90 people, authorities are intensifying efforts to combat a surge in deepfake videos and doctored content aimed at fuelling further unrest amid ongoing magisterial inquiry.
Officials confirmed that fake AI-generated clips targeting senior officers like DGP S.D. Singh Jamwal and ADC Ghulam Muhammad were circulated to spread misinformation and unrest.
The unrest erupted on September 24 in Leh, during demonstrations demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule, clashed with security forces.
The violence led to the imposition of a curfew under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent figure in the movement, was arrested two days later under the National Security Act (NSA) and transferred to Jodhpur Jail in Rajasthan, where he remains in custody.
In the wake of the clashes, investigators uncovered a coordinated disinformation campaign involving manipulated videos circulated primarily on social media platform X.
One deepfake portrayed Ladakh Director General of Police (DGP) S.D. Singh Jamwal claiming that Wangchuk’s arrest was ordered directly by the Defence Minister a fabrication debunked by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit on September 30.
Another AI-altered clip falsely attributed statements to Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Ghulam Muhammad, alleging the arrest was directed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, further inflaming public outrage and eroding trust in local institutions.
Leh District Police swiftly registered First Information Reports (FIRs) under relevant sections of the Information Technology (IT) Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, vowing to identify and prosecute those responsible.
Authorities stress the need to counter disinformation, rebuild trust, and restore normalcy in Ladakh. Sources familiar described the videos as ‘systematic attempts to mislead the public and incite panic’.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor, Kavinder Gupta issued a stern warning saying surrounded by Pakistan and China, Ladakh cannot afford violence. People trying to vitiate the atmosphere through inflammatory statements or deepfake videos will not be spared. Gupta emphasized that several individuals accused of provoking the mob through speeches have been detained, and a magisterial inquiry into the September 24 violence has been ordered.
The administration’s response comes as calm slowly returns to Leh, with curfew restrictions easing and normalcy inching back. Education institutions have been thrown open upto call 8.
