Ladakh Under Curfew for Fourth Day Following Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk's NSA Detention

Security forces have detained over 50 individuals following the violent clashes in Leh.

Curfew continues for the fourth consecutive day in Leh town of Ladakh as security measures intensify after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's detention under the National Security Act (NSA), officials confirmed on Saturday.

The Lt Governor-led administration released a statement Friday night justifying Wangchuk's detention, citing his "provocative speeches" that referenced the Nepal agitation and Arab Spring as catalysts for Wednesday's violence. The unrest resulted in four fatalities and numerous injuries.

According to the administration, Wangchuk's detention was necessary "to restore normalcy" in Leh and prevent further actions that could be "prejudicial to maintenance of public order."

"No untoward incidents have been reported from anywhere in Ladakh during the past 24 hours. The restrictions remain in place to maintain law and order," an official stated.

Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta is scheduled to chair a high-level security review meeting at Raj Bhavan, after which decisions regarding curfew relaxation may be considered.

Security forces have intensified patrolling and checking operations in sensitive areas, while raids continue to apprehend missing rioters, including a councillor allegedly responsible for instigating the violence.

Following the clashes, authorities detained more than 50 individuals. Prohibitory orders banning gatherings of five or more persons remain in effect across other major towns in the Union Territory, including Kargil.

The Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR), Ladakh, stated: "Time and again it has been observed that Wangchuk has been indulging in activities prejudicial to the security of the state and detrimental to maintenance of peace and public order and services essential to the community."

Despite government communication regarding the High-Powered Committee (HPC) meeting and offers of prior consultations, Wangchuk continued his hunger strike in Leh from September 10, according to officials.

"His series of provocative speeches, references to Nepal agitations, Arab Spring, etc, and misleading videos resulted in the violent protests of 24 September in Leh, where institutions, buildings and vehicles were burnt down, and, in the aftermath, police personnel were attacked, leading to the unfortunate death of four individuals," the statement elaborated.

The administration claimed the violence "could have been avoided if he could have risen above his personal and political ambitions" by ending the hunger strike when dialogue with the government resumed regarding demands for statehood and extension of the Constitution's Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.

Officials emphasized that preventing Wangchuk from further actions potentially detrimental to public order was essential for restoring normalcy in Leh.

Based on specific intelligence, authorities made "a considered decision" to detain Wangchuk under the NSA and transfer him to Jodhpur prison in Rajasthan.