Ladakh’s Director General of Police (DGP) S D Singh Jamwal revealed on Saturday that the authorities are probing prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk due to supposed links with Pakistan. This inquiry comes after the arrest of a Pakistani intelligence operative who reportedly transmitted videos of Wangchuk’s protests across the border.
Jamwal branded Wangchuk as a key figure behind the unrest that erupted last week, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to many others. Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, he confirmed that Wangchuk has been detained under the National Security Act and is currently housed in a jail in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
“Details regarding the ongoing investigation cannot be shared at this point,” said Jamwal. “However, if you analyze Wangchuk’s profile, much of it is readily available on YouTube. His speeches appeared to incite unrest, drawing parallels with movements like the Arab Spring and the turmoil in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.”
Jamwal emphasized that Wangchuk’s alleged involvement has raised questions about foreign funding and potential violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). He noted that they have a Pakistani Intelligence Operative (PIO) who provided live updates from protests led by Wangchuk.
“Wangchuk’s international engagements, including his attendance at an event organized by The Dawn in Pakistan and visits to Bangladesh, have raised further suspicions,” Jamwal remarked during a press conference.
As a leader of the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance advocating for statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to the Union Territory of Ladakh, Wangchuk has played a pivotal role in local agitations.
Jamwal accused Wangchuk of attempting to co-opt the protest movement, undermining ongoing dialogues between the Central government and Ladakhi representatives. The government has plans for another round of discussions with local leaders on October 6.
Despite being informed about the planned informal meeting on September 25, Wangchuk reportedly continued his hunger strike. “Just before this meeting was set to occur, a clear effort was made to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere through provocative videos and statements, which eventually led to the unfortunate violence on Wednesday,” Jamwal stated.
Responding to Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta’s claims of a foreign conspiracy connected to the violence, Jamwal mentioned that three Nepalese citizens sustained bullet injuries during the unrest, indicating the involvement of international elements.
In total, Jamwal announced that police have apprehended 50 individuals connected to the violence, with at least half a dozen suspected of being pivotal ringleaders. He reaffirmed, “Clearly, Wangchuk, as the main instigator, is currently detained in an outside jail.”
This development puts a spotlight on the ongoing tensions within Ladakh, where local leaders have been steadfast in their demands for increased autonomy and recognition from the Indian government.
