Sonam Wangchuk Arrested by Leh Police Amid Ladakh Unrest
By Javid Amin | September 26, 2025
Arrest Amid Ladakh Turmoil
In a dramatic escalation of Ladakh’s statehood movement, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested in Leh by a police team led by DGP S.D. Singh Jamwal. The arrest comes just days after violent clashes left four people dead and more than 80 injured during protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule protections.
What Triggered the Arrest?
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September 24 Protest Violence: Demonstrations spiraled out of control when mobs attacked the BJP office and Hill Council headquarters in Leh, setting vehicles ablaze.
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Government’s Stand: The Union Home Ministry claimed that Wangchuk’s “provocative statements” and hunger strike were central to inciting unrest.
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NGO Crackdown: Just a day earlier, Wangchuk’s NGO, SECMOL, had its FCRA license cancelled, citing alleged financial irregularities.
Wangchuk’s Response
Rejecting the allegations, Wangchuk accused the government of scapegoating him to deflect attention from Ladakh’s real demands:
“A Sonam Wangchuk in jail may cause them more problems than a free Sonam Wangchuk,” he said in a social media post earlier this week.
He also warned that authorities were preparing to use the Public Safety Act (PSA) against him, a law often criticized for its sweeping powers of detention.
Fallout and Crackdown
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Curfew imposed in Leh and Kargil.
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Educational shutdown: Schools, colleges, and coaching centers closed for two days.
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Mass detentions: Over 50 people detained, with FIRs filed against protestors, including some alleged outsiders.
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Investigations widened: CBI and Income Tax teams now probing Wangchuk’s finances and NGO operations.
The Bigger Picture
Wangchuk’s arrest represents a turning point in the Ladakh autonomy struggle. For years, he symbolized a peaceful, Gandhian approach rooted in climate advocacy and sustainable development. His sudden detention has raised concerns that the movement could radicalize in the absence of its most moderate and influential leader.
Analysts warn that targeting Wangchuk risks alienating Ladakh’s youth and tribal communities, who see him as both a role model and a voice of accountability.
“Arresting Wangchuk is not just about silencing one man—it risks silencing Ladakh’s conscience,” said a Leh-based political observer.
