Sonam Wangchuk Evicted from Protest Site Amid Controversy Over Hill Council Elections

Ladakh Police on Wednesday removed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from the protest venue in Leh and escorted him to his residence, asking him to remain indoors, an official confirmed. The move came hours after Wangchuk, along with representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), voiced strong objections to the decision to conduct the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) elections on December 4. The groups cited severe winter conditions and the seasonal migration of a large section of the population as reasons for postponing the polls.

The police said the action was taken under existing restrictions governing rallies, demonstrations and public gatherings within the Leh Municipal limits during the ongoing election process. Ladakh Director General of Police Anand Jain, in a post on X, said Wangchuk had been advised to stay at home in view of prohibitory orders issued by the Chief Electoral Officer of the Union Territory and the District Magistrate of Leh. The Union Territory is also scheduled to hold municipal and panchayat elections on November 21, ahead of the LAHDC polls.

The LAB and KDA have been leading a campaign seeking constitutional safeguards and statehood for Ladakh while participating in discussions with the Centre over their demands. The two organisations have appealed to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene and ensure that the hill council elections are postponed. Wangchuk led a demonstration in Leh, demanding a change in the December 4 election schedule.

Police maintained that the preventive action was carried out under the authority of the existing prohibitory orders to avoid any possible disruption of public order and ensure peace during the election period. Authorities have also urged residents to comply with the restrictions imposed in view of the upcoming panchayat, municipal and LAHDC elections. The police cautioned people against organising or participating in activities that could affect public tranquillity or create law-and-order concerns.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.