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Govt decides to revoke Sonam Wangchuk's detention months after Leh violence
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was detained and lodged in Rajasthan's Jodhpur jail under the NSA following violent Leh protests last September.
The government has decided to revoke climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's detention in connection with the violence that took place in Leh last September, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) said on Saturday. The development comes months after Wangchuk was detained and later sent to Rajasthan's Jodhpur jail under the National Security Act (NSA).
The government said that Wangchuk had been detained ‘to maintain public order’ following the violent protests.
“The Government remains committed to fostering an environment of peace, stability, and mutual trust in Ladakh so as to facilitate constructive and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders. In furtherance of this objective, and after due consideration, the Government has decided to revoke the detention of Shri Sonam Wangchuk with immediate effect by exercising the powers available under the National Security Act,” the government said in its statement.
The government further said that it has engaging with stakeholders and community leaders in Ladakh to address the ‘aspirations and concerns of the people of the region.’
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“However, the prevailing atmosphere of bandhs and protests has been detrimental to the peace-loving character of the society and has adversely affected various sections of the community, including students, job aspirants, businesses, tour operators and tourists and overall economy,” it said.
The Centre had earlier said that Wangchuk tried to instigate the Gen Z for protests similar to Nepal and Bangladesh.
His wife Gitanjali J Angmo had filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging Wangchuk's detention under NSA, terming Wangchuk's detention illegal and an arbitrary exercise violating his fundamental rights. She also maintained that Wangchuk condemned the violence on his social media handles and categorically said violence would lead to the failure of Ladakh's "tapasya" and peaceful pursuit of five years.
Wangchuck's detention came two days after violent protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh left four people dead and 90 injured in the Union territory. The government had accused him of inciting the violence.
