Sonam Wangchuk Placed Under 60-Day House Arrest in Ladakh Amid Fresh Tensions Over Hill Council Polls
Leh: Political tensions have resurfaced in the Union Territory of Ladakh after prominent education reformer and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was placed under house arrest for 60 days. According to an analytical report by StudyGlows, the move comes alongside strict restrictions on public gatherings ahead of the upcoming Autonomous Hill Development Council elections scheduled for December 4.
Restrictions Imposed Ahead of Winter Polls
Authorities in Leh have enforced Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)—which replaced Section 144 of the CrPC—banning unauthorized protests, sit-ins, and political rallies across the region. Police personnel prevented leaders of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) from staging a planned protest at the NDS Memorial Park in freezing winter conditions.
Wangchuk, who has alleged heavy security deployment outside his residence and restrictions on his communication, criticized the administration for holding elections during harsh mid-winter weather. The polls cover eight hill councils across Ladakh—expanding from the earlier two councils in Leh and Kargil to include Nubra, Sham, Sankoo, Drass, Zanskar, and Changthang—across 100 total constituencies. Local groups have demanded a postponement of the polls, arguing that extreme cold will severely limit voter turnout.
Background of the Ladakh Protests
The dispute traces back to August 2019, when the Indian government abrogated Article 370 and bifurcated the former state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. While Jammu and Kashmir retained a legislative assembly, Ladakh was designated as a Union Territory without a legislature.
Given that roughly 97% of Ladakh’s population belongs to Scheduled Tribes, civil society groups formed the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) to push for four core demands:
- Inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution to protect local land, culture, and environment.
- Full statehood for Ladakh.
- A separate Public Service Commission for local job recruitment.
- Two separate Lok Sabha parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil.
From Past Agreements to Renewed Deadlock
While talks between the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ladakh representatives continued through a High-Powered Committee formed in 2023, protests escalated in 2024 and turned violent in September 2025, resulting in four fatalities and Wangchuk’s detention under stringent laws.
Following his release in March 2026 and fresh negotiations in May 2026, local leaders initially welcomed assurances regarding constitutional safeguards under Article 371 and enhanced powers for elected bodies. However, disagreements over implementation reignited protests in recent weeks. Analysts note that while New Delhi remains cautious due to Ladakh’s sensitive border with China, sustained dialogue between the central government and local representatives remains essential for lasting peace and development in the region.
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