Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk jailed under NSA after violence erupts

Following deadly protests in Leh, authorities arrested Sonam Wangchuk, blaming his speeches for unrest. His detention sparks political backlash amid ongoing hunger strike for Ladakh’s statehood demands.

Leh: On Saturday, the Ladakh administration defended the arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA), stating that he has been sent to Jodhpur jail.

The administration stated that Wangchuk's several controversial speeches and protests sparked Wednesday's violence in Ladakh, in which four people were killed and several others injured. Wangchuk's speeches were cited as the cause of the violence.

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The administration stated that Sonam Wangchuk, citing examples such as the Nepal movement and the Arab Spring in his speeches, made statements that disrupted peace there.

The administration stated that restoring peace in Leh city was essential, and Wangchuk had to be restrained to prevent him from disrupting public order. According to the administration, this led to his arrest under the NSA and his transfer to Jodhpur jail.

Administration Concerns and Government Dialogue

The Leh administration stated that the government had repeatedly offered to engage Wangchuk in a High-Powered Committee meeting, but he continued his hunger strike due to his political and personal motives.

The administration stated that if Wangchuk had taken the opportunity to continue dialogue with the government and ended the hunger strike, the violence would not have occurred.

Hunger Strike and Subsequent Violence

Sonam Wangchuk and his supporters had been on a hunger strike for nearly three weeks, demanding statehood and rights under the Sixth Schedule.

On September 24, the 15th day of the hunger strike, violence erupted, with government buildings, vehicles, and institutions set on fire. Policemen were also injured, and four people were killed during the violence.

Reactions from Ladakh's Social and Political Parties

Several religious, social, and political organizations have condemned Sonam Wangchuk's arrest. A curfew remains in place in Leh, and large gatherings have been banned in Kargil. A strike was also observed in Kargil on Friday in support of Wangchuk.

Ladakh’s Demand for Sixth Schedule: What does it mean and why does it matter?

Sonam Wangchuk's arrest and the subsequent violence highlight the sensitivity of the political situation in Ladakh. The administration has taken this step to maintain security and peace, but it also has profound political and social implications.

It is essential to strike a balance between Wangchuk's demands and the administration's stance to maintain stability in the area and ensure that the general public is not affected.