Leh: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested by Ladakh police on Friday, two days after the Central government blamed him for violent protests in Leh. The arrest was carried out by Ladakh Police in an operation led by Director General of Police S.D. Singh Jamwal.
Wangchuk was detained in Leh shortly before his scheduled press conference, where he was expected to counter the allegations of the Union Home Ministry. Wangchuk was taken into custody under tight security, and later moved out of Ladakh. Soon after, authorities suspended internet services across Leh and imposed curfew-like restrictions.
Central Government has linked Wangchuk’s statements and his movement’s activities to the unrest, citing concerns over provocative remarks and the role of politically motivated groups. The Union Home Ministry also cancelled the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) license of Wangchuk’s NGO, Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), following the protests.
The Trigger: Hunger Strike
Sonam Wangchuk, well known for his activism in Ladakh, demanding statehood for the Union Territory of Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. On September 10, Wangchuk began a 35-day hunger strike at Shaheed Park in Leh.
On September 24, thousands had marched in Leh demanding statehood for Ladakh and safeguards under the Sixth Schedule. The agitation turned violent outside the BJP office when demonstrators clashed with police, torched vehicles, and hurled stones. Security forces responded with gunfire, leaving four dead and dozens injured. Soon after, Wangchuk had ended his hunger strike.
The Ministry of Home Affairs swiftly blamed Wangchuk for inciting the unrest through what it called “provocative statements.” Officials said his role as a central figure in the agitation made him responsible for the escalation.
The Crackdown
A day after the violence, the Central government targeted Wangchuk’s NGO, the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL). The MHA cancelled its FCRA licence on Thursday, alleging misuse of foreign funds, a charge Wangchuk has denied. On Friday, Wangchuk was taken into custody shortly before his scheduled press conference.
Wangchuk’s Defence
Calling the government’s actions a “scapegoat tactic,” Wangchuk said that arresting him will not silence Ladakh’s voice. “Blaming me will not solve Ladakh’s problems. It will only deepen them,” he remarked before being taken away.
The activist and his supporters have maintained calls for peaceful dialogue and warned against attributing the broader public frustration solely to him.
The Detention
Authorities have charged Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA), allowing for extended preventive detention without bail, and his exact whereabouts remain undisclosed as of now.
The arrest has drawn criticism from various political quarters, with some condemning it as an attempt to suppress democratic expression and legitimate demands by the people of Ladakh. Wangchuk’s arrest, they warn, could become a rallying point — intensifying rather than quelling the anger simmering in Ladakh.
Tense Calm in Leh
The streets of Leh remain heavily guarded, with paramilitary forces deployed to enforce order. Shops are closed, mobile networks are suspended, and residents fear further crackdowns. Local leaders say the movement for Ladakh’s statehood is unlikely to be deterred.
