Sonam Wangchuk Arrested Days After Violent Protests In Ladakh: Report

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested on Friday (26 September) by the Ladakh police, days after a shutdown in Leh demanding statehood for Ladakh spiraled into violence, leaving four people dead and over 70 injured, the India Today reported.

Authorities have yet to decide whether he will be lodged in jail or moved to another facility.

Wangchuk had been on a two-week hunger strike since 10 September, pressing for statehood and Sixth Schedule protections.

He ended his fast on Tuesday (23 September), urging restraint, but violence broke out when protesters torched a BJP office and government vehicles. A curfew was imposed in Leh.

The Ministry of Home Affairs blamed Wangchuk, stating his "provocative statements" and references to the Arab Spring and Nepal’s Gen Z protests had incited unrest. A statement said: "On 24th September, at around 11.30 am, a mob instigated by his provocative speeches left the venue of the hunger strike and attacked a political party office as well as the government office of the CEC Leh."

Officials noted that talks were ongoing with local groups through the High-Powered Committee and had led to concessions, including raising the ST reservation in Ladakh from 45 per cent to 84 per cent, introducing one-third representation for women in councils, recognition of Bhoti and Purgi as official languages, and recruitment for 1,800 posts.

On Thursday (25 September), the government also cancelled the FCRA licence of SECMOL, an institute founded by Wangchuk, citing violations.

Rejecting the charges, Wangchuk said, "To say it was instigated by me, or sometimes by Congress, is to find a scapegoat, rather than addressing the core of the problem, and this will lead us nowhere... we all need wisdom rather than ‘cleverness’ because people are already frustrated."

Fresh talks between the Centre and Ladakhi groups, including the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, are scheduled for 6 October.

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Also Read: "Even Back In 2007": BJP's Big Claim On Sonam Wangchuk After Centre Cancels FCRA Licence Of Ladakhi Activist's NGO