Ladakh statehood activist and Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Sonam Wangchuk has been arrested under the National Security Act (NSA), sources confirmed on Friday. The law allows detention without bail for extended periods.
Wangchuk is accused of provoking a mob through his statements. The arrest comes just a day after he said he would be “happy to be arrested anytime for this cause.”
Sources added that the activist has been shifted to Jodhpur in Rajasthan, while internet services in Leh were suspended to curb misinformation.
FCRA Licence Cancelled
The action comes a day after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) cancelled the FCRA licence of Wangchuk NGO, the Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL). The move blocks the organisation from receiving foreign donations.
The arrest follows violent clashes in Leh earlier this week, which left four dead and more than 50 injured, including security personnel.
Ladakh Growing Anger
After celebrating Union Territory status in 2019 when Article 370 was scrapped, locals in Ladakh are now increasingly dissatisfied. The lack of political representation has united Leh Buddhist-majority groups and Kargil Muslim-majority groups under common platforms demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status.
The Centre, however, accused Wangchuk of ignoring ongoing talks with groups like the Apex Body Leh (ABL) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
Government Stand
The MHA blamed Wangchuk for inciting unrest. “Amidst these violent developments, he broke his fast and left for his village in an ambulance without making serious efforts to control the situation,” it said.
Wangchuk, on the other hand, told NDTV that he was prepared for detention: “Sonam Wangchuk in jail will be equally, if not more, problematic than Sonam Wangchuk outside. It will awaken people more about how this country is being run.”
Political Reactions
The arrest has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders.
Former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the arrest “unfortunate,” saying, “We are not justifying violence, but BJP should answer why they let such a situation develop.”
Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir also slammed the move, calling it “wrong.”
