**Leh: Activist Sonam Wangchuk Arrested Following Violent Protests in Ladakh**
Activist Sonam Wangchuk was reportedly arrested on Friday, September 26, by Leh police, two days after violent protests erupted in Ladakh. According to reports, at least four people were killed during the protests, while over 70 others sustained injuries.
Wangchuk was taken into custody under the National Security Act (NSA) for allegedly inciting protesters. The arrest was carried out by a police party led by Ladakh DGP S D Singh Jamwal at 2:30 pm, shortly before Wangchuk was scheduled to hold a press conference. The exact charges pressed against him have not been made immediately clear.
At the time the protests occurred, Wangchuk was on a hunger strike. However, after violent clashes between agitators and the police, he called off his strike. Notably, Wangchuk had earlier stated that he expected to be “arrested anytime,” a statement that preceded his detention by a day.
Earlier developments on Thursday saw the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) revoke the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) certificate of Wangchuk’s non-profit organisation. According to sources cited by All India Radio, Wangchuk had deposited ₹3.5 lakh into the FCRA account of the association during 2021-22, which was deemed a violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act. Additionally, the NGO reportedly received ₹4,93,205 from a Swedish donor intended to support educational programmes addressing migration, climate change, food security, and sovereignty.
The climate activist had been leading protests demanding full statehood for Ladakh and recognition of the union territory under the Sixth Schedule, aimed at protecting the rights of tribal communities. However, the protests escalated into violence, with demonstrators setting fire to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) office and damaging police vehicles.
The clashes resulted in the tragic loss of four lives. In response, authorities have imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. These measures remain in force in Leh following the September 24 violence.
Under the restrictions, the assembly of five or more persons is banned throughout the district. Additionally, no procession, rally, or march may be conducted without prior written permission from the authorities. Security personnel have been deployed across Leh amid the ongoing unrest.
The situation continues to develop as the region grapples with the aftermath of the protests and the demands put forth by activists and local communities.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/breaking-news-activist-sonam-wangchuk-arrested-two-days-after-4-killed-in-violent-protests-in-ladakh-reports
