The Ladakh administration has defended its decision to detain climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA), saying the move was necessary to restore order in Leh following violent protests that claimed four lives earlier this week.
Wangchuk, a well-known activist from Leh’s Uley Tokpo, was shifted to Jodhpur Central Jail on Friday night. Authorities accused him of repeatedly making provocative speeches and releasing videos that, according to them, incited unrest.
Administration’s stand
In a statement released late Saturday, officials said Wangchuk’s references to the Nepal movement and the Arab Spring during his speeches had a direct impact on the September 24 violence, which left dozens injured and led to the torching of public buildings and vehicles. “It is essential to restore normalcy in Leh, which is known for its peace-loving nature. Preventing Wangchuk from further disturbing public order became unavoidable. On the basis of specific intelligence inputs, a considered decision was taken to detain him under the NSA and shift him out of Leh,” the statement said.
The administration further alleged that Wangchuk ignored government outreach for dialogue through the High-Powered Committee (HPC) set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs, and instead continued with his hunger strike. “Despite repeated offers for talks, Wangchuk chose to persist with his protest, clearly driven by personal and political motives,” it added.
Protest and violence
The unrest broke out on the 15th day of Wangchuk’s hunger strike, which he had launched along with fellow activists to press for statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule. On September 24, clashes between protesters and police turned violent, leaving four dead. Police personnel were also attacked during the confrontation. The administration claimed the violence ‘could have been avoided’ had Wangchuk called off his protest once dialogue resumed.
Reactions across Ladakh
The detention has drawn sharp criticism from religious, social, and political organisations across Ladakh. Several groups condemned the government’s move, while Kargil town observed a shutdown on Friday in solidarity with Wangchuk. Authorities, meanwhile, have imposed curfew in Leh and enforced Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in Kargil to prohibit large gatherings.
