Ladakh’s famous environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk has been detained under the National Security Act and sent to Jodhpur Central Jail. According to officials, he was shifted to Jodhpur after he was arrested in Ladakh on Friday night.
Wangchuk is arrested after a recent violent demonstrations in Leh, the capital of Ladakh. The protesters have long been demanding state status to Ladakh and inclusion in the sixth schedule.
But on September 24, the protest became violent, in which the BJP office was set on fire and four people died. Two days later, Wangchuk was detained under the NSA for inciting violence.
Significantly, Sonam Wangchuk was recently on hunger strike, which he ended after the violence erupted.
After the arrest of Wangchuk, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains reacted strongly. He said, “The truth cannot be imprisoned. Sonam Wangchuk’s arrest is a direct attack on democracy and is equivalent to trampling the law. He is the voice of Ladakh, not a criminal. He has made a historic contribution in strengthening the education system. I demand his immediate release.”
Here, in view of the situation in Leh, the administration has imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Civil Protection Code (BNSS). According to the order, five or more people are prohibited from gathering in the district. No procession, rally or march will not be done without written permission. Heavy deployment of security forces has also been done.
Explain that Sonam Wangchuk has been demanding to include Ladakh in the sixth schedule of the Constitution for a long time, so that the tribal population here can get special rights and a system of autonomous council.
Currently this provision is applicable only in the states of Assam, Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya.
