Ladakh Police Detain Prominent Environmentalist as Tensions Escalate Over Demands for Autonomy and Sixth Schedule Protections
Published on: September 26, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: New Delhi, India
In a significant escalation of the ongoing agitation in Ladakh, climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk was arrested by local police on September 26, 2025, in Leh. Wangchuk, renowned for his environmental campaigns and the “Ice Stupa” project to combat water scarcity in the Himalayas, has been leading protests demanding full statehood for the Union Territory of Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which provides special protections for tribal areas.
The arrest occurred shortly after authorities imposed a curfew in Leh following violent clashes on September 24, where four protesters were killed during demonstrations against the perceived dilution of local rights post the 2019 bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir.
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A team led by Ladakh Director General of Police S.D. Jamwal apprehended Wangchuk as he prepared to address the media around 2 p.m., citing violations of public order. Officials have not yet disclosed specific charges, but sources indicate they may include unlawful assembly and incitement. The activist’s supporters, including local leaders and civil society groups, have condemned the move as an attempt to suppress dissent, drawing parallels to his earlier 21-day fast in March 2024 that garnered national attention.
Protests have highlighted concerns over land rights, employment reservations, and environmental safeguards amid rapid infrastructure development in the ecologically sensitive region. As of now, security forces are patrolling Leh, and calls for a judicial probe into the recent deaths have intensified, with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh urging intervention. This development underscores deepening regional grievances in Ladakh, a strategically vital area bordering China and Pakistan.
