LEH, Occupied Kashmir (Kashmir English): Indian police on Friday arrested prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk for allegedly inciting people for protests in the Himalayan territory of Ladakh that left at least five people dead, a lawyer said.
Demonstrations for greater political autonomy for the thinly populated, high-altitude region bordering Pakistan and China turned deadly on Wednesday when security forces opened indiscriminate fire.
India blames Wangchuk for the Ladakh unrest
India blamed the unrest on “provocative speeches” by Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike demanding either full federal statehood for Ladakh or constitutional protections for its tribal communities, land and fragile environment.
A lawyer for the Apex Body Leh, Mustafa Haji, said that Wangchuk was “picked up” by the police from his village of Uley Tokpo on Friday. It is to mention here that the Apex Body Leh is spearheading the protests. “Charges against him are not known yet,” Haji added.
An engineer by training, Wangchuk, 59, is known for pioneering water conservation projects in the Himalayas.
In 2018, Wangchuk received the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for his environmental work and contributions to reforming local schooling in Ladakh.
It is believed that Bollywood star Aamir Khan played a character inspired by Wangchuk’s life and work in the hugely popular movie Three Idiots.
Last year also, Wangchuk, who is a vocal advocate for Ladakh’s environmental protection and tribal rights, was briefly detained by Delhi Police during a protest march.
Indian authorities on Thursday also cancelled his non-profit organisation’s foreign funding licence.
Pakistan Friday said it is monitoring the situation. “The developments that unfolded in Leh, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, are extremely disturbing,” the Foreign Office said.
