Leh: Two days after the Centre accused him of ‘instigating’ the mob that went on a rampage here, activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested here Friday under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), sources in the security establishment confirmed to ThePrint.
Wangchuk was expected to address a press conference organised by members of the Leg Apex Body in the afternoon at a hotel. His office issued a statement earlier in the day saying he would join it virtually, but he was arrested before he could address the press conference.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has blamed Wangchuk for the violence on 24 September, alleging that he made “provocative statements” that ‘instigated’ the mob. Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike to demand statehood and Sixth Schedule protections for Ladakh since 10 September, had distanced himself from the violence, saying it damaged a peaceful struggle of five years and requested the youth to remain peaceful.
Taking the line of the central government, Director General of Police (Ladakh) S.D. Singh Jamwal told ThePrint Friday, “Sonam Wangchuk and some members of the Congress party incited the people of Ladakh.”
“They gave provocative speeches. Leh Apex Body (which is in talks with the Centre) officially organised the general protest but not this violent demonstration. Sonam Wangchuk has earlier asked people to wear masks while protesting due to COVID but in reality he is asking them to be careful so they aren’t identified. He referred to violence in Sri Lanka and Nepal in his speeches. He has been to Islamabad too. This was also slow cooked,” Jamwal added.
A First Information Report (FIR) was filed against Wangchuk and others under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with six incidents of rioting and arson that took place until the situation was brought under control around 5 pm Wednesday. At least 40 individuals, including ex-servicemen, who were part of the protest have been apprehended at the time of filing this report.
Wangchuk was named as an accused in the FIR.
In early September 2025 Ladakh saw renewed protests to demand statehood and for the region to be brought under the protections of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. On 10 September, engineer and activist Sonam Wangchuk launched a hunger strike to press these demands. On the evening of 23 September, two elderly protesters collapsed during the fast and were hospitalised, which fuelled widespread demonstrations.
The situation turned violent on 24 September after thousands of young protesters clashed with police in Leh. Cops resorted to firing tear gas and live rounds in an act of ‘self-defence’ as crowds set fire to a local BJP office, a council building and some vehicles. By the same evening, at least four protesters were reported dead and at least 70 injured.
The district administration then imposed an overnight curfew. Wangchuk immediately called off his hunger strike and appealed for peace.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in a press note blamed Wangchuk for the unrest, saying his ‘provocative statements incited the mob’. On Thursday, the MHA cancelled the FCRA licence granted to his NGO, Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), citing “repeated violations” of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.
A curfew is now in force in Leh. The home ministry says it is addressing the issues of Ladakhis through dialogue, adding that an ongoing high-powered committee of local leaders has already achieved new concessions. It has urged people to desist from violence and to continue negotiations.
This is a developing story
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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