Sonam Wangchuk under house arrest? 60-day ban on entry into Leh; tension peaks over Ladakh elections
Leh: Political tension has escalated in the Union Territory of Ladakh ahead of the upcoming local elections. Renowned environmentalist and social activist Sonam Wangchuk released a video late Thursday night, alleging that he has been placed under house arrest by the Ladakh Police. He stated that a large contingent of police and paramilitary forces has been deployed outside his residence, preventing him from stepping out. He further declared that he intends to challenge this action before the magistrate, the High Court, and the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the Ladakh Police have denied Wangchuk’s allegations, asserting that this is not house arrest but rather the enforcement of prohibitory orders (Section 144) currently in place due to the elections. Just a day earlier, the police had removed Wangchuk from a protest site and escorted him home. According to an official order, Wangchuk has been barred from entering or moving within Leh for the next 60 days. Elections for the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council are scheduled for December 4, 2026; however, Wangchuk and local organizations have boycotted the polls, expressing strong opposition. In December, temperatures in Ladakh plummet to between -15°C and -25°C, prompting many local residents to migrate to Jammu or Delhi. There are concerns that holding elections in December would disenfranchise a large number of voters, and there are demands to postpone the polls until April-May 2027. Locals have also alleged that the delimitation of the 100 newly created constituencies in Ladakh was carried out hastily, without any substantive consultation or discussion. The ‘Ladakh Buddhist Association’ and the ‘Gompa Association’ have also extended their support to the boycott of the elections. Previously, Ladakh had only two councils—in Leh and Kargil; however, with the creation of six new districts, elections will now be held for eight separate councils across eight districts for the first time. Voting is scheduled for December 4, and the counting of votes will take place on December 8. Wangchuk has also reiterated his demand for the public release of the inquiry commission’s report regarding the violence that occurred in Ladakh on September 24, 2024. That violence, which took place during the ongoing agitation for full statehood, resulted in four deaths, while over 80 protesters and 30 security personnel sustained injuries. He has alleged that the matter is being suppressed.
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