Ladakh Director General of Police (DGP) S. D. Singh Jamwal on Saturday said climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was arrested under the National Security Act (NSA), is being investigated for alleged links with Pakistan. His arrest comes days after statehood protests in Ladakh spiralled into violence, leaving four protesters dead.
At a press conference, DGP Jamwal confirmed that investigators are probing Wangchuk’s connections in the wake of the recent arrest of a Pakistani intelligence operative. The operative, he said, had sent videos of Wangchuk’s demonstrations across the border. “We also arrested a Pakistan PIO in the recent past who was in touch with him and was reporting back across. We have a record of this,” the DGP said.
DGP Jamwal also questioned Wangchuk’s foreign engagements, pointing to his presence at an event hosted by Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper. “He had attended a Dawn event in Pakistan. He also visited Bangladesh. There is a big question mark on him,” the senior officer said.
The police chief accused the activist of attempting to derail the dialogue between Ladakh groups and the Centre over statehood. “This involved some so-called environmental activists; there is a question mark on their credibility as well. They tried to hijack the platform, and the prime name here is Sonam Wangchuk, who has earlier also delivered such statements and worked to derail the process,” the DHP remarked.
Detailing the charges, the DGP alleged Wangchuk had incited violence in Leh on 24 September. “Sonam Wangchuk has had a history of instigating people. He has referred to the Arab Spring, Nepal, and Bangladesh,” he added.
The Ladakh administration defended its decision to invoke the NSA, insisting it was based on “specific inputs.” In a statement, officials said, “Time and again it was observed that Sonam Wangchuk has been indulging in activities prejudicial to the security of the State and detrimental to maintenance of peace and public order and services essential to the community.”
Under the NSA, Wangchuk faces prolonged preventive detention with no immediate scope for bail. Sonam Wangchuk has been transferred to a high-security facility in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Meanwhile, Leh has been placed under curfew, and internet services have been suspended to curb the spread of misinformation. Authorities, however, signalled that restrictions would be eased. “We have decided to relax the curfew from 1 pm–3 pm in a staggered manner. It will be relaxed in the Old City. And in the new area, we will relax it from 3.30 pm–5.30 pm,” said the authorities.
