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Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested on Friday under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). He has been shifted to Jodhpur Central Jail. He is being held in a high-security ward, under 24-hour security and monitored by CCTV cameras. Asaram Bapu is also being held in the same jail, but in a separate ward. This action comes two days after violent protests demanding statehood and constitutional protection for Ladakh, which left four people dead and 90 injured in the Union Territory.
The Ladakh administration has cut off all mobile internet connections in the jurisdiction of Leh district as a precautionary measure. Wangchuk’s arrest came suddenly amid rapidly evolving events. He was scheduled to address a press conference in Leh at 2:30 pm on Friday, but his failure to arrive at the scheduled time alarmed organizers. It was soon learned that a team of Ladakh Police, led by Director General of Police SD Singh Jamwal, had arrested Sonam Wangchuk from his village, Uliaktopo.
Violence caused by out-of-control youth
The organizers nevertheless continued with their scheduled press conference, acknowledging that the recent violence was caused by out-of-control youth but categorically rejecting any foreign involvement. Chering Dorjay, co-chairman of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), rejected foreign involvement in the violence and demanded a judicial inquiry into Wednesday’s incident, which claimed four lives.
The Home Ministry did not call us for timely talks.
He alleged that police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel fired indiscriminately at protesters without using other methods, such as water cannons or warning shots. Dorjay said, “We have made it clear that if the Home Ministry does not call us for timely talks, we will intensify our agitation. We also stated that our agitation will remain peaceful and non-violent.”
He said that the 35-day hunger strike led by Sonam Wangchuk began with a joint prayer meeting on September 10, after which the central government sent invitations for October 6. Meanwhile, an uneasy calm prevails in the Himalayan region. Curfew remained in force in Leh for the third consecutive day, and no untoward incident has been reported from anywhere in the Union Territory.
Violence erupted during protests
The curfew was imposed following widespread violence on Wednesday evening. Earlier, violence erupted during protests demanding statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to Ladakh, resulting in the death of four people. A police officer stated that the security situation across Ladakh is peaceful. Restrictions may be eased later in the day to allow people to purchase essential commodities.
More than 50 people have been detained following the clashes, while prohibitory orders prohibiting gatherings of five or more people remain in effect in other major towns of the Union Territory, including Kargil. A high-level team from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has arrived in Leh to review the situation.
Opposition Leaders’ Reactions to the Arrest
Wangchuk’s arrest comes a day after the Home Ministry revoked the FCRA license issued to his organization, the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), citing alleged financial irregularities. The arrest of Wangchuk, a key figure in the five-year-long movement for Ladakh’s rights, has drawn strong reactions from opposition leaders, who blame the central government’s handling of the situation.
Reacting sharply to the arrest, Wangchuk’s wife, Geetanjali Angmo, accused the government of spreading false narratives aimed at tarnishing his image. Angmo alleged that he was treated like a criminal without any reason. She also alleged that the police vandalized his house.
Questions on the BJP’s Principles
Referring to the BJP, she said, “They should not spread false propaganda as they are doing.” He questioned the BJP’s principles, saying they are not Hindu in any way. The BJP is not Hindu because its very foundation is based on lies. Some opposition parties alleged that the arrest clearly exposes the government’s policy of selectively targeting people and suppressing dissent.
Allegations of reneging on election promises
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the arrest “unfortunate” and accused the BJP-led central government of reneging on promises made during the 2020 Hill Council elections. Abdullah said the central government’s action was a betrayal of the people of Ladakh. Congress General Secretary and party communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X, “The Congress condemns the arrest of Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act.”
