Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, spearheading an agitation over the demands of Statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh, was arrested by the Ladakh police on Friday (September 26, 2025).
Officials said a team led by Ladakh Director General of Police (DGP) S.D. Jamwal arrested Mr. Wangchuk from Leh. Official sources said Mr. Wangchuk was scheduled to address the media after 2 p.m. but was denied permission. The charges levelled against Mr. Wangchuk could not be confirmed immediately.
Ladakh protests: what do protesters want?
[img=100%,100%]https://www.thehindu.com/theme/images/th-online/1x1_spacer.png[/img]
Internet service was also suspended in Leh, officials said. A strict curfew continued in Leh town for the second day on Friday. All schools and colleges have been closed till September 27 in Leh.
The arrest of the 59-year-old Mr. Wangchuk came two days after violent protests broke out in Leh town.
Protesters, mainly youth, resorted to violence at the BJP headquarters and the Secretariat of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Leh (LAHDC-Leh). Four civilians were killed and 90 others were injured in security forces action against the protesters.
Government revokes FCRA licence of Wangchuk’s organisation
[img=100%,100%]https://www.thehindu.com/theme/images/th-online/1x1_spacer.png[/img]
The violence broke out on the 15th day of hunger strike of Mr. Wangchuk and his associates. He was on a three-week hunger strike to press for the early resumption of talks between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and representatives of Ladakh to have “result oriented” dialogue on key demands of Statehood and Sixth Schedule. However, Mr. Wangchuk called off his hunger strike after the violence broke out and called for peace in the region.
ALSO WATCH Analysis | Why Ladakh’s statehood protest in Leh turned deadly
[img=100%,100%]https://www.thehindu.com/theme/images/th-online/1x1_spacer.png[/img]
Wangchuk’s arrest condemned
Meanwhile, Ladakh Member of Parliament Haji Hanifa condemned the arrest. “If Mr. Wangchuk has been arrested for his peaceful agitation, we condemn the same,” Mr. Hanifa said.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Mr. Wangchuk’s arrest was unfortunate but not surprising. “What’s difficult to understand is why the Centre has failed to fulfil its promises,” Mr. Abdullah said.
Congress leader G.A. Mir said the move to arrest “honourable and Gandhian activist is unwarranted.” |
