Sonam Wangchuk Alleges House Arrest in Leh Amid Protests Over Mid-Winter Ladakh Hill Council Elections
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has alleged that he has been placed under house arrest in Leh, claiming that police personnel stationed outside his residence and institute have prevented him from stepping outside. The activist reported that dozens of uniformed men have been deployed at both locations.
On Friday, Wangchuk stated that he attempted to leave his home but was stopped by police personnel posted outside. Video footage released by Wangchuk showed him stating that while the administration may term the action an advice to stay home, he is clearly not being allowed to move out. Late Thursday evening, Wangchuk had also posted videos on social media purportedly showing him being moved from a tent where he was resting ahead of a planned demonstration against the administration's decision to conduct the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) polls on December 4.
Rising Protests Over Mid-Winter Poll Timetable
As the nomination process for the LAHDC elections begins, political and social representatives across Ladakh have stepped up protests against the election schedule. Demonstrators have cited severe winter weather conditions and the seasonal migration of local residents to warmer regions as primary reasons for demanding a deferment of the polls.
Public opposition to the election timetable has led to widespread demonstrations across the territory. Kargil observed a complete one-day shutdown on November 8, while scores of protesters gathered in Leh on Thursday to hold a sit-in demonstration against what they described as a rushed decision to hold polls during the winter.
Wangchuk publicly questioned the speed of the election process, contrasting it with delays in official investigations. "Dozens of armed guards surround my house while the government version says 'I have been advised to stay at home'. All for asking uncomfortable questions like… why is the Judicial Enquiry Commission Report (of last year's killings in Leh) delayed and a phoney council election is foisted on people with rocket speed in mid-winter. Whole of Ladakh is in protest," Wangchuk said.
Administrative Restrictions and Expanding Governance Structure
Wangchuk had previously attempted to lead a protest in Leh on Wednesday evening seeking the deferment of the elections. Police officials stated that Wangchuk was escorted back to his residence and advised to remain there in compliance with prohibitory orders regulating public rallies, protests, and public gatherings within the limits of Leh Municipality. The orders were issued by the Chief Electoral Officer of the Union Territory of Ladakh and the District Magistrate of Leh.
The upcoming elections take place following structural changes to the administrative setup in the region. Earlier, two district councils in Leh and Kargil elected 26 councillors who held powers under the LAHDC Act, 1997, to oversee regional planning and development. Following the addition of six new districts to the border region this year, eight councils will take shape in Ladakh for the first time.
Letter to Central and Territorial Authorities
Following the restrictions, Wangchuk submitted a formal letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, and senior Ladakh police leaders, seeking clarification regarding the legal grounds of his confinement.
Directly referencing an order issued by the Additional District Magistrate of Leh, Wangchuk argued that his freedom of speech and movement was being improperly restricted. He stated that the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct cannot be used as a blanket justification to confine him to his home without specific intervening causes.
In his communication, Wangchuk noted that no explicit written order directing police deployment or imposing house arrest had been served to him. He requested that authorities provide the specific details, legal provisions, and copies of the requisition orders authorizing the police deployment outside his residence.
