National Desk
27 September
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
Journalist and Reserch Analysist
The Ladakh administration has defended its decision to detain well-known climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA). Officials said that his repeated “provocative speeches,” in which he referred to movements like the Nepal protests and the Arab Spring, directly led to the violence in Leh on September 24. During the unrest, four people lost their lives and many others, including policemen, were injured.
According to the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Wangchuk’s speeches, videos, and his ongoing hunger strike since September 10 created unrest and encouraged people to take an aggressive path. The administration claimed that despite government offers to hold talks through the High-Powered Committee (HPC), Wangchuk continued his protest with “hidden motives.”
The DIPR stated that the protests turned violent, with government buildings, institutions, and vehicles being set on fire, and police officers attacked. To restore peace in the usually calm town of Leh, the administration considered it necessary to stop Wangchuk from “biased activities” against public order.
Authorities further confirmed that Wangchuk has now been shifted to Jodhpur Jail in Rajasthan for security reasons. They stressed that his detention was important to maintain normalcy and protect essential services in Ladakh.