Ladkah activist Wangchuk’s arrest triggers outrage among IIOJK politicians
Srinagar: The arrest of renowned Ladakh-based climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the draconian National Security Act (NSA) has sparked widespread condemnation from political leaders across Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
According to Kashmir Media Service, Wangchuk was taken into custody from his residence in Leh on Friday, two days after four unarmed protesters died and nearly 100 injured in Indian forces’ firing. The activist has since been transferred to Jodhpur jail in the Indian state of Rajasthan.
IIOJK Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah criticized the arrest, saying it was unsurprising given the Modi government’s recent actions. “The way the government was moving against him, it seemed that something like this might happen,” he told reporters in Srinagar. He said that New Delhi made promises to Ladakhis, which were never fulfilled. “The same happened with us, people voted on the basis of assurances from the Centre, but none of those have been honoured,” Omar said.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti called Wangchuk’s arrest “deeply disturbing.” Taking to X, she wrote, “A lifelong advocate of peace, sustainability and truth is being punished merely for demanding that promises be kept. Today, Leh is under curfew with the internet shut down, a grim echo of what Kashmir has long endured. In today’s India, speaking truth to power comes at a heavy cost. How else could a man who stood for peace and non-violence his entire life end up behind bars?”
PDP leader Iltija Mufti, in a post on X, described Wangchuk’s detention as “a blow to peaceful struggle” and said that the BJP was seeking to disempower regions that demand constitutional safeguards. She added that Wangchuk has been arrested for waging a peaceful fight for the people of Ladakh.
CPI(M) leader and MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami warned that the use of repressive measures in Ladakh would only worsen the situation. “Detaining climate activist Sonam Wangchuk risks further inflaming tensions and alienating a population demanding political rights and constitutional safeguards,” he said in a post on X. “Instead of pursuing meaningful dialogue, the authorities have resorted to detentions. This approach is bound to ignite anger and deepen unrest. The government must not set Ladakh on fire.”
IIOJK Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir said Wangchuk’s detention would only deepen tensions. “The arrest was unnecessary and sends a negative message. The [Indian] government should engage with the people of Ladakh instead of detaining their representatives,” Mir said.
