Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk Gets Arrested After 4 Deaths

FIR Filed Against Sonam Wangchuk for Inciting Violence Through Provocative Speeches in Ladakh

Sonam Wangchuk, a climate activist who has been fighting for Ladakh’s statehood and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, got arrested on Friday. However, his location has not been disclosed to the public yet. Reports say that Wangchuk has been moved out of Ladakh. The arrest warrant was issued after four people died and 90 were injured during the protest.

Why was Sonam Wangchuk Arrested?

Leh police have arrested Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA). The climate activist is accused of inciting violence through provocative speeches. The protest turned aggressive and resulted in the death of four people and caused serious injuries to 90 people.

On Wednesday, an official statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that “Sonam Wangchuk started a hunger strike on September 10, stating the demand of (bringing the UT under) the 6th schedule (of the constitution) and statehood for Ladakh. It is well known that the government of India has been actively engaged with the Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on the same issues.”

The Ministry of Home Affairs also informed that several meetings were held with ABL and KDA through a formal channel of a high-powered committee and a sub-committee. Additionally, multiple informal meetings with leaders were also scheduled.

Who is Sonam Wangchuk?

Sonam Wangchuk is an engineer, climate activist, and educator who has been the face of Ladakh’s political struggle. He has been campaigning for the Sixth Schedule status to protect the fragile ecology and tribal culture in Ladakh. Wangchuk is mainly known for carrying out reformative activities, especially after the government revoked the special status and autonomy under Article 370 in 2019.

About the Ladakh Protest

The climate activist, Sonam Wangchuk, was on a hunger strike for statehood and constitutional protections. However, he had to end his strike as two of his fellow activists, Tashi Dolma and Tsering Angchuk, had to be hospitalized after they lost strength. They had been fasting for over 35 days for the Statehood and Sixth Schedule protections.

Their collapse triggered the youth across Ladakh, who decided to take to the streets. Thereafter, on Wednesday, a shutdown was ordered as crowds gathered at Martyrs’ Ground in Leh. Sonam Wangchuk said that the hospitalisation of the two activists caused the violence, which disturbed his peaceful campaign.