After a peaceful protest in Ladakh turned violent, killing four people, the government arrested climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act for allegedly triggering the violence over statehood in the union territory.
Clashes began on Wednesday, over demand for statehood and inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule. Security forces imposed a curfew in Leh later, and Wangchuk called off his two-week-long hunger strike. A team led by Ladakh’s DGP S D Singh Jamwal arrested Wangchuk as they also stopped internet services in the union territory. The Home Ministry also cancelled Wangchuk’s NGO’s FCRA licence, alleging violations.
The Home Ministry called out his actions as “provocative”, leading to a protest on the lines of the recent GenZ protest in Nepal, and the Arab-Spring style movement. The activist, on the other hand, has repeatedly stated that the government wanted to arrest him, and this was a plan. The violations listed by MHA include the deposition of funds generated locally in SECMOL’s FCRA account. Diverting funds from non-permissible activities, such as the study of the country’s sovereignty and also failing to deposit funds received from abroad into the designated account.
Sources report that another organisation, the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh, founded by Wangchuk, got foreign aid worth 1.5 crore and that 6.5 crores were diverted to his private firm, Sheshyon Innovation. Other claims state that he transferred funds worth 2.3 crores between 2021-2024 to several foreign accounts from his personal account, and got 1.68 crore between 2018 to 2024 from multiple accounts. It was also declared that eight of his nine personal accounts were not declared.
The CBI and Income Tax authorities are involved in investigations against Wangchuk. While the CBI is investigating his case on behalf of the Home Ministry, the income tax authorities are looking into other financial irregularities. The Ladakh protest became violent on Wednesday, and over 80 people have been injured.
