Sonam Wangchuk arrested in Leh after protests turn deadly
KINS Desk
Leh, Sept 26: Prominent environmental activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk was arrested by police in Leh on Friday following violent protests earlier this week that claimed four civilian lives.
Officials confirmed that Wangchuk was taken into custody from his residence and shifted to a local police station for questioning. Though he has not yet been formally charged, police sources indicated that he may face cases related to unlawful assembly and incitement. His arrest comes amid a sweeping crackdown in Ladakh, where over 50 people have been detained, including Nepalese nationals and individuals from Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district. Authorities said they are probing possible external involvement in the unrest.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in a statement issued on Wednesday, directly blamed Wangchuk for delivering “inflammatory speeches” during his prolonged hunger strike in Leh. The ministry alleged that his references to the Arab Spring and student protests in Nepal provoked mobs and derailed dialogue between Ladakh leaders and the Centre.
The protests turned violent on September 24 when demonstrators attacked government offices, set vehicles ablaze, and clashed with security forces. Police firing during the clashes left four civilians dead.
A day before Wangchuk’s arrest, the MHA also cancelled the FCRA licence of his NGO—the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL)—citing violations of funding regulations. The organisation, co-founded by Wangchuk, has long been known for its pioneering work in education and environment.
Wangchuk rejected the allegations in a video message prior to his detention. “Jailing me will not solve the crisis. If anything, it will deepen alienation and create more problems,” he said, maintaining that he had consistently appealed for peace and restraint during the protests.
Opposition parties and civil society members in Ladakh condemned the arrest, warning it would escalate tensions further. (KINS)
