The Ladakh agitation has a new flashpoint.
On Thursday Nov 13, climate activist and Leh Apex Body member Sonam Wangchuk, 59, claimed house arrest: “I AM UNDER HOUSE ARREST. Dozens of armed guards surround my house while government version says 'I have been advised to stay at home'.”
Wangchuk posted video showing 20-25 armed police/paramilitary, tents, vehicles around Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL), Phyang, 17km from Leh. He tried leaving Friday, police stopped him. He alleged his X, Instagram, YouTube reach suppressed.
Official paper trail: Additional District Magistrate, Leh, invoking Section 163 BNSS (preventive orders for public peace), imposed restrictions Nov 12 on Wangchuk's movement based on SSP Leh report. SSP said “activities, antecedents and alleged attempts to instigate public have affected public order before, apprehension future demonstrations may again lead to disturbance of peace.”
Order text: "I... impose restrictions on Sonam Wangchuk on his movement and to refrain from engaging in any activity, organising or participating in any unauthorised rally, procession or public gathering or conduct that is likely to cause breach of public peace, disturbance of public tranquillity or obstruction to peaceful conduct of ongoing electoral processes within Leh." Effective immediately, 60 days.
Ladakh Police say not arrest but preventive advice per prohibitory orders by CEO UT Ladakh and DM Leh banning rallies in Leh municipality during elections. DGP Anand Jain said advice to stay home.
Trigger: Elections.
For first time, Ladakh goes for 8 Autonomous Hill Development Councils Dec 4 after 6 new districts created this year (earlier only Leh, Kargil with 26 councillors). Oct 20 notification opened process, 100 constituencies, 36 seats reserved women. Municipal/panchayat polls Nov 21, counting Dec 8.
LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) jointly oppose winter timing. LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakrook says ∼30% population migrates out in winter to Jammu, Delhi for survival — disenfranchisement. Kargil observed shutdown Nov 8, Leh sit-in at NDS Martyrs Park Nov 13 against haste.
Wangchuk calls it “phoney election foisted on people with rocket speed in mid winter.”
Second grouse: Judicial Enquiry Commission Report delay. Sept 24, 2025, statehood protests demanding Sixth Schedule turned violent in Leh — 4 killed in police firing, 80+ injured. Wangchuk was detained two days later under NSA, released March 2026. Commission formed but report not released.
Wangchuk filed representation to Home Minister Amit Shah, LG VK Saxena, CS Ashish Kundra: order avoids words "house arrest, detention," no warrant served, bad in law, arbitrary, disproportionate. Said he will challenge before magistrate, High Court, Supreme Court. Wrote SOS to President Murmu, PM Modi, HM Shah to defer polls.
Administration says polls are first major exercise after UT status 2019 and needed for development decentralization.
Whole of Ladakh in protest, Wangchuk says.
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