A young man in India waved the national Tricolour flag outside Jodhpur Central Jail on Saturday to support Ladakh climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who faces arrest over recent violence in Leh. Police detained him right away for questioning.
Sonam Wangchuk, a well-known figure in Ladakh’s environmental and rights movements, arrived at the jail late Friday night. Authorities moved him there after clashes erupted in Leh on September 24, leaving four people dead and 45 injured. The unrest stemmed from ongoing protests since September 10, where locals demand full statehood for Ladakh and protection under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
The supporter, Vijaypal from Sujangarh in Rajasthan’s Churu district, showed up early Saturday morning. He shouted “Bharat Mata ki Jai” slogans in solidarity with Wangchuk. Vijaypal told police he rushed to Jodhpur by cycling to the nearest railway station and catching a train after hearing about the activist’s transfer.
“Sonam Wangchuk is a true patriot, just like everyone in Leh-Ladakh,” Vijaypal said. He pointed out how locals tipped off the Indian Army during the Kargil War about enemy infiltrators. When officers tried to take him in, he warned he’d start a hunger strike if they held him. But police whisked him away in their vehicle anyway.
Ratanada Police Station officer Dinesh Lakhawat confirmed the detention. “He says he’s just an ordinary guy,” Lakhawat added. As of now, Vijaypal remains in custody for interrogation.
Wangchuk, a leader in the Ladakh statehood protests, had previously warned that ignoring these demands could spark more violence. After paperwork at the jail, officials placed him in a separate ward for safety. The case highlights growing tensions over Ladakh’s push for greater autonomy.
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