The Ladakh administration on Wednesday firmly rejected claims of a “witch-hunt” against environment activist Sonam Wangchuk, asserting that all actions taken by law enforcement were based on credible evidence and verified documents.
In an official statement, the administration said, “There is no question of witch-hunting or creating smoke screens. Actions by law enforcement agencies are based on credible inputs and documents. Agencies should be allowed to continue their investigation impartially without vitiating the process.”
Justifying Wangchuk’s detention under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), authorities alleged that he called for an “overthrow of the government” along the lines of the Arab Spring if protesters’ demands were not met and suggested self-immolation to instigate agitation.
The administration highlighted that the government had already scheduled dialogue with Ladakh leaders and expressed flexibility in meeting dates. However, Wangchuk reportedly made multiple provocative statements, citing examples from Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, and refused to call off his hunger strike despite announced dates for talks.
The statement also referenced Wangchuk’s September 11 interview with Ladakh Express, where he allegedly encouraged youth to defy security forces, claiming that Mahatma Gandhi’s path was unnecessary for change.
On financial and legal allegations, the administration noted ongoing investigations into HIAL, citing irregularities in foreign fund disclosures, unauthorized degree issuance, and FCRA violations by SECMOL. Appropriate actions, they stated, have been taken in accordance with established legal procedures.
Authorities further accused Wangchuk of inciting protesters to conceal their identity using masks and hoodies and making inflammatory statements on his YouTube channel Achoe Nyingstam. The administration also pointed to his absence during violent incidents that led to police firing, claiming his behavior reflected irresponsibility.
The Ladakh administration appealed for patience, emphasizing that the legal process should proceed without interference and expressed confidence that normalcy and dialogue in Leh Township would be restored.