Leh, Sep 27: Curfew remained in force for the fourth consecutive day in Leh town, Ladakh, on Saturday as police and paramilitary forces intensified patrolling and security checks following the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA) on Friday, officials said.
The Lt Governor-led administration stated that Wangchuk’s series of alleged provocative speeches, including references to the Nepal agitation and the Arab Spring, triggered the violent protests on September 24, which left four people dead and dozens injured. The detention was deemed essential to restore normalcy in Leh and prevent further actions “prejudicial to public order.”
“No untoward incident has been reported from anywhere in Ladakh over the past 24 hours. The restrictions remain in place to maintain law and order,” an official said, adding that Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta is set to chair a high-level security review meeting at Raj Bhavan, after which curfew relaxation decisions will be considered.
Security forces have intensified patrolling in sensitive areas, and raids are ongoing to apprehend absconding rioters, including a councillor accused of instigating the violence. Over 50 individuals have already been detained, and prohibitory orders restricting gatherings of five or more persons remain enforced in other major towns, including Kargil.
The Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR), Ladakh, said Wangchuk had repeatedly engaged in activities deemed “prejudicial to state security” and public order. Despite government communications offering prior meetings before the High-Powered Committee (HPC) session, Wangchuk continued his hunger strike from September 10.
The statement noted that his speeches and videos contributed to the violent protests, which resulted in the burning of institutions, buildings, and vehicles, as well as attacks on police personnel leading to four deaths. Authorities emphasized that the unrest could have been avoided if Wangchuk had ended his strike when dialogue resumed regarding statehood and Sixth Schedule extension demands.
Based on specific inputs, the administration decided to detain Wangchuk under the NSA and transfer him to Jodhpur Jail in Rajasthan to ensure peace and security in Leh.