Following violent protests in Ladakh, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been arrested under the National Security Act (NSA) and moved to Jodhpur Central Jail. He is being held in a high-security ward with 24-hour CCTV surveillance. Notably, the jail also houses Asaram Bapu, although in a separate ward. The protests, which resulted in four deaths and 90 injuries, were sparked by demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh.
In the wake of the unrest, the Ladakh administration has taken measures, including suspending mobile internet in the Leh district. Wangchuk’s arrest on Friday came as a surprise; he was slated to address a press conference in Leh, but his absence prompted concerns among organizers. It was later confirmed that Ladakh Police, led by Director General of Police S.D. Singh Jamwal, arrested Wangchuk from his village.
Organizers of the press conference acknowledged that the recent violence was the result of uncontrolled youth but denied foreign involvement. Chering Dorje, co-chair of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), called for a judicial inquiry into the Wednesday incident and rejected any external influences.
Dorje stated that police and CRPF personnel opened fire without using water cannons or issuing warnings. He added, if the government does not initiate timely discussions, they would intensify their movement, maintaining its peaceful and non-violent nature.
Wangchuk initiated a 35-day hunger strike with a prayer meeting, which led to an invitation from the Centre. Meanwhile, an uneasy calm prevails. Curfew continues in Leh for the third day, with no major incidents reported.
Curfew was imposed after the Wednesday evening violence, which erupted during a protest demanding statehood and the Sixth Schedule’s extension to Ladakh, leading to four fatalities. Authorities indicated that the security situation is stable and that restrictions might be relaxed to allow access to essential goods.
Over 50 individuals were detained, and restrictions on gatherings were implemented in other major towns, including Kargil. A high-level team from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) arrived in Leh to assess the situation.
Wangchuk’s arrest came a day after the government revoked the FCRA license of his organization, SECMOL, citing financial irregularities. Opposition leaders have criticized the arrest, blaming the central government for its handling of the situation.
Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, condemned the government for spreading misinformation to damage his reputation. She claimed that he was treated unjustly and accused the police of vandalism.
She challenged the BJP’s principles, stating that the party is not rooted in truth. Some opposition parties have described the arrest as a deliberate attempt to suppress dissent.
Omar Abdullah described the arrest as ‘unfortunate,’ accusing the BJP of not fulfilling promises made during the 2020 Mountain Council elections. He stated that the government’s actions were a betrayal. Jairam Ramesh condemned the arrest via social media.