Congress leader Digvijay Singh has strongly condemned the arrest of environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA) in Ladakh. Speaking out on Saturday, Singh highlighted how Wangchuk, a follower of Gandhian principles, has done so much for the region. “He’s given Ladakh its identity, boosted its culture and heritage, and served people through education and healthcare,” Singh told .
Singh pointed fingers at the central government for breaking promises. He noted that Wangchuk earned praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi until 2019 and even won several awards. The activist pushed for Ladakh to become a Union Territory, and the government agreed. But now, demands for the 6th Schedule protections—similar to those in India’s northeast—and full statehood have gone unmet. “The government promised these after elections, but they didn’t deliver,” Singh said. “Imposing NSA on someone like this is shocking.”
On the other side, Ladakh’s Director General of Police, SD Singh Jamwal, blamed Wangchuk and other “so-called environmental activists” for stirring up trouble. At a press conference in Leh, Jamwal described how their provocative speeches sparked violence on September 24, derailing ongoing talks with the central government.
Jamwal said the chaos started with 5,000 to 6,000 people attacking government buildings and political party offices. They pelted stones, set a BJP office on fire, and beat up Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officers—one remains seriously injured in hospital. Three or four women police officers got trapped inside the burning building. “Anti-social elements joined the crowd,” he added.
The violence turned deadly. Four civilians died from police firing to stop the massive assault. At least 32 people suffered severe injuries that day, with totals reaching 70 to 80 among security forces and civilians. Seven were in critical condition, and one woman had to be airlifted to Delhi for treatment.
Jamwal also called out rising provocative videos and speeches on social media before the talks. He mentioned a high-power committee meeting set for October 6, with preliminary sessions on September 25-26. But a hunger strike starting September 10 gave activists like Wangchuk a platform to disrupt peace, he claimed. Police have filed FIRs over the inflammatory content.
Wangchuk’s arrest happened two days after the deadly protests in Leh. The climate activist faces accusations of inciting the violence. He had been on a hunger strike protesting Ladakh’s unfulfilled demands, which he ended just as the unrest erupted.
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