Ladakh DGP Alleges Pakistan Links in Sonam Wangchuk Case, Claims “Provocative Speeches” Sparked Unrest
Ladakh’s Director General of Police (DGP) S. D. Singh Jamwal has claimed that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is being investigated for alleged ties with Pakistan. Authorities say his speeches are under scrutiny for provoking the recent violence in Leh that resulted in four deaths.
The DGP’s allegations center on a Pakistani Intelligence Operative (PIO) arrested last month who allegedly sent material related to Wangchuk’s protests across the border. Wangchuk is said to have attended an event by Dawn, a Pakistani newspaper, and made foreign visits to Bangladesh—both cited as suspicious in the ongoing probe.
Jamwal further accused Wangchuk of making speeches referencing the Arab Spring, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, saying these were used to stir dissent. Wangchuk’s activism, particularly his hunger strike demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of India’s Constitution, is blamed by the police for contributing to the escalation of protests on 24 September.
Following the unrest—where shops and a local BJP office were set ablaze, and police opened fire—Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) and transferred to Jodhpur Central Jail. Authorities also suspended mobile internet services in Leh and imposed curfew to control the situation.
Wangchuk’s supporters and opposition parties have condemned his detention, calling the charges politically motivated and accusing the administration of silencing dissent. Local political groups demand clarity on evidence for the allegations, particularly the Pakistan links. Widespread outrage has emerged over what some see as an excessive crackdown.
As investigations proceed, questions focus on whether the claims of foreign involvement will hold up under judicial and legal scrutiny. Meanwhile, calls for dialogue continue, even as tensions remain high in Ladakh.
