Leh: The Ladakh Administration on Thursday detained climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA), citing activities “prejudicial to the security of the State and detrimental to maintenance of peace and public order,” officials said.
As per official handout, Wangchuk, a resident of Uley Tokpo, Leh, has been shifted to Jodhpur Jail.
The administration stated that despite repeated communication and offers to meet the High-Powered Committee (HPC), Wangchuk continued his hunger strike and delivered provocative speeches referencing movements such as the Nepal agitations and Arab Spring.
These actions, along with misleading videos, were cited as contributing factors to the violent protests in Leh on September 24, which led to arson, attacks on police personnel, and the unfortunate death of four individuals.
The Ladakh Administration said the decision to detain Wangchuk under the NSA was taken in the larger public interest to restore normalcy in Leh and prevent further disturbances.
Authorities emphasized that the detention was necessary to prevent Wangchuk from acting in a manner prejudicial to public order, given the backdrop of his recent provocative speeches and videos.
Officials noted that the situation could have been avoided if Wangchuk had ceased his hunger strike once dialogue with the government resumed.
The administration confirmed that Wangchuk has been moved out of Leh district to ensure public safety and maintain peace in the region.
Complete handout.
1. Today, on 26.09.2025, Shri Sonam Wangchuk, S/o Shri Sonam Wangyal, R/o Uley Tokpo, Leh has been detained under National Security Act, 1980.
2. Time and again it has been observed that Shri Sonam Wangchuk has been indulging in activities prejudicial to the security of the State and detrimental to maintenance of peace and public order and services essential to the community.
3. Despite clear communication from the Government for the meeting of the High-Powered Committee (HPC) and offer of prior meetings before the HPC, Shri Sonam Wangchuk, with his ulterior motive, continued his hunger strike. His series of provocative speeches, references to Nepal agitations, Arab Spring etc. and misleading videos resulted in the violent protests of 24.09.2025 in Leh where institutions, buildings and vehicles were burnt down and, in the aftermath, Police personnel were attacked leading to the unfortunate death of four (4) individuals. The entire episode could have been avoided if he could have risen above his personal and political ambitions by calling off the hunger strike when the dialogue with the Government was resumed on the same agenda.
4. It is important to restore normalcy in the peace loving Leh Town of Ladakh. To ensure this, it is also important to prevent Shri Sonal Wangchuk from further acting in a manner prejudicial to maintenance of public order. In the backdrop of his provocative speeches and videos, for the larger public interest, it was not advisable to keep him in Leh District.
5. In this backdrop, the administration, based on specific inputs, took a considered decision to detain Shri Sonal Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA) and move him to Jodhpur.
