Sonam Wangchuk Claims 60-Day House Arrest as Protests Continue in Ladakh

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has alleged that authorities have placed him under house arrest for 60 days, coinciding with ongoing demonstrations by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) despite local administrative bans on public gatherings.

The sit-in protest, headed by LAB co-chairman Chering Dorday, commenced on Thursday morning at Leh’s NDS Memorial Park amid sub-zero temperatures. According to Dorday, the agitation was scheduled prior to the recent prohibitory orders and is independent of upcoming polls. He emphasised that the movement seeks to compel the central government to resume dialogue with local leaders regarding special status for Ladakh.

In a video shared on X on Thursday night, Wangchuk stated he was being confined to his institute under heavy security. He alleged that armed personnel were stationed outside while officials claimed he had merely been “advised to stay at home.” Wangchuk questioned the delay in releasing the Judicial Enquiry Commission Report concerning last year’s fatalities in Leh, criticised the rapid scheduling of council elections during peak winter, and claimed his social media reach across X, Instagram, and YouTube had been severely restricted.

Refuting the detention claims, Ladakh Police maintained that Wangchuk was simply asked to remain indoors following prohibitory directives issued by the Leh district magistrate and the chief electoral officer. On Wednesday, election officials prohibited political rallies and demonstrations under the model code of conduct ahead of municipal polls. Despite local opposition to winter voting, the election body confirmed that polling for the eight newly formed Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) will take place on December 4.

On Friday, Wangchuk posted follow-up footage to challenge the police’s version of events. After consulting Supreme Court lawyers regarding the ambiguous phrasing of the magistrate’s order and the DGP’s statement, he filmed himself attempting to step out of his institute, where police personnel blocked his exit. He criticised the administration, questioning whether authorities in a democracy should manipulate laws at will. Police had earlier escorted Wangchuk from the protest venue on Wednesday evening and confined him to his residence.

An official directive from Leh’s additional district magistrate, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, restricts Wangchuk’s movement and bars him from organising or joining unauthorised gatherings. The order stipulates that these curbs take immediate effect and will stay active for 60 days unless revoked or altered earlier.