TL;DR : Sonam Wangchuk, a well-known activist from Ladakh, was arrested on September 26, 2025, after protests for Ladakh’s statehood turned violent, killing four people. He is charged under the National Security Act, which allows detention without bail. His NGO’s license was also cancelled. The arrest has led to political backlash and internet shutdowns in the region.
Arrest and Charges:
- Sonam Wangchuk was arrested by Ladakh Police at around 2:30 PM IST on September 26, 2025.
- He is being held under the National Security Act (NSA), which allows detention without trial for up to 12 months.
- Authorities accuse him of making “provocative statements” that led to violent protests.
Protest Violence:
- The protests in Leh over statehood and Sixth Schedule demands turned violent.
- Four people died and about 70 were injured, including police officers.
- Police used tear gas and batons to control the crowd; curfew and internet shutdowns were imposed.
FCRA License Cancellation:
- The government cancelled the FCRA license of Wangchuk’s NGO, SECMOL, citing foreign funding violations.
- Wangchuk denies wrongdoing and says the move was to suppress activism.
Activist’s Background:
- Wangchuk is a Magsaysay Award-winning engineer and climate activist, known for peaceful protests and innovation projects like Ice Stupas.
- He ended a 15-day hunger strike just before the violence broke out.
Government and Public Reaction:
- The government defends the arrest as necessary for restoring order.
- Critics, including opposition leaders and activists, call it “a crackdown on democratic rights.”
- His wife said his home was ransacked, calling the arrest “baseless”.
Current Situation (as of Sept 26, 7:30 PM IST):
- Wangchuk’s location remains unknown.
- Ladakh remains under curfew with internet shut down.
- The Home Ministry is reviewing the situation; a formal statement is expected.