LEH: Climate activist and Leh Apex Body (LAB) member Sonam Wangchuk has claimed that he is effectively under house arrest, a day after Ladakh Police removed him from a protest site and escorted him to his residence. He said he would challenge the restrictions on his movement before the courts.
In a video posted late on Thursday (November 12), Wangchuk said 20 to 25 police and paramilitary personnel had been deployed outside his residence since Wednesday (November 11) night, along with vehicles and tents. He alleged that armed personnel had taken positions around his house during the day, restricting his movement.
Questioning how a person could be prevented from participating in a peaceful protest without being formally arrested, Wangchuk said he would approach a magistrate, followed by the High Court and the Supreme Court.
Ladakh Police said its action against Wangchuk was preventive and in compliance with prohibitory orders issued by the Chief Electoral Officer of the Union Territory and the District Magistrate of Leh. The orders regulate public rallies, protests and other gatherings within Leh municipality during the ongoing election process.
The Leh administration has separately imposed a 60-day restriction on Wangchuk's movement under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. An order issued by the Additional District Magistrate, Leh, on November 11 directs him not to engage in activities, or organise or participate in unauthorised rallies, processions or public gatherings that could disturb public peace or obstruct the ongoing electoral process in the district.
Wangchuk said he and leaders of the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) were preparing to stage a sit-in over several demands, including opposition to the timing of the hill council elections scheduled for December 4.
He described holding the elections during winter as unacceptable, arguing that a significant section of Ladakh's population would be away from the region during that period.
He also reiterated the demand for the release of the Commission of Inquiry report into the September 24 incident last year. Wangchuk further alleged that the hill councils had been deprived of meaningful powers and called on people across the country to support Ladakh's demands.