Srinagar, Oct 1: The Ladakh Union Territory Administration on Wednesday dismissed allegations of “witch-hunting” against activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was recently detained under the National Security Act (NSA), asserting that all government measures are based on credible inputs and documented evidence.
In a statement, the Directorate of Information & Public Relations called the claims of victimisation “baseless” and stressed that law enforcement agencies are duty-bound to continue impartial investigations. Authorities cited ongoing inquiries into alleged financial irregularities and foreign currency violations by the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), which they allege has been issuing degrees without university recognition and failed to disclose foreign funding.
The administration also defended the cancellation of SECMOL’s FCRA registration, saying the move followed multiple confirmed violations and not a single incident. SECMOL, it noted, retains the right to appeal through due process.
Wangchuk was further accused of making provocative remarks despite the Centre announcing a September 20 date for dialogue with Ladakh leaders. The government pointed to his statements at protest venues and in a September 11 interview, where he allegedly referenced Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh to incite youth, suggesting that “Mahatma Gandhi’s path is not necessary.” His earlier videos on YouTube were also flagged for calling for an “Arab Spring”-style uprising and encouraging self-immolation, with the administration claiming such actions risked destabilising the region.
The statement alleged that during heightened tensions, other leaders attempted to calm the crowd while Wangchuk withdrew discreetly. His decision to continue his hunger strike even after flexible dialogue options were offered was described as politically motivated and directly linked to subsequent disturbances. The administration confirmed that all notices of detention were duly served and urged that “the process of law must take its own course.”
Meanwhile, the unrest has strained the Centre’s dialogue process with Ladakh groups pressing for statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion. Both the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have withdrawn from the October 6 talks, demanding a judicial probe into civilian deaths during last week’s protests, the release of all detainees, and an apology for labelling agitation leaders as “anti-national.”
The administration expressed confidence that peace would soon return to Leh township and reiterated its commitment to continuing dialogue once conditions normalise.
