Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested on Friday under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) following violent incidents in Leh that left four dead and over 70 injured. Wangchuk, a prominent innovator and advocate for full statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule to protect tribal rights, was taken into custody before he could hold a scheduled press conference at 2:30 pm.
The arrest comes days after a peaceful shutdown in Leh escalated into violence, drawing national attention to the region’s longstanding demands for autonomy and constitutional safeguards. Authorities accused Wangchuk of allegedly inciting protesters, though details of the charges have not been fully disclosed.
Law enforcement agencies are intensifying investigations. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is expected to examine financial aspects related to the activist, while the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been conducting a preliminary inquiry for the past two months into alleged FCRA violations by Wangchuk’s organization.
Wangchuk has long been at the forefront of movements advocating tribal rights, education reforms, and climate initiatives in Ladakh, making him a prominent figure in regional activism. His arrest has sparked widespread debate over the use of the NSA and the treatment of activists in the Union Territory.
