Leh, Nov 13, : Climate activist and Leh Apex Body member Sonam Wangchuk has claimed that he has been placed under house arrest in Leh, alleging that dozens of armed police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed around his residence after he opposed the scheduling of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) elections during the harsh winter months.
Wangchuk said around 20 to 25 security personnel had been stationed outside his residence, restricting his movement and preventing him from participating in planned protests.
The development came a day after police personnel removed him from a proposed protest site and escorted him to his residence. Wangchuk said he and other representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) were preparing to hold a sit-in when police intervened.
In a message posted on social media, Wangchuk declared that he was under house arrest and questioned the administration's position that he had merely been advised to remain indoors.
He said the restrictions were imposed after he raised questions over the delay in making public the Judicial Enquiry Commission report into the September 24, 2025 incident in Leh and opposed the decision to hold the Hill Council elections in the middle of winter.
Wangchuk has argued that conducting elections in December would adversely affect participation, as a significant section of Ladakh's population, including students and others who migrate during the winter, may be away from the region.
He has also questioned the functioning of the Hill Councils, alleging that they have been deprived of meaningful powers.
The climate activist said he would challenge the restrictions before the appropriate legal forums, including the Magistrate, High Court and Supreme Court, questioning how authorities could prevent someone from joining a peaceful protest without formally placing them under arrest.
Meanwhile, Ladakh Police have defended the preventive action, stating that Wangchuk was advised to remain at home in compliance with prohibitory orders issued by the Chief Electoral Officer of Ladakh and the District Magistrate, Leh.
The restrictions regulate public rallies, protests and other gatherings within Leh municipal limits during the ongoing election process. An order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has also imposed restrictions on his participation in unauthorized public gatherings for a period of 60 days.
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