Ladakh’s Director General of Police, S D Singh Jamwal, announced on Saturday that renowned activist Sonam Wangchuk is under investigation for purported links with Pakistan. This follows the recent arrest of a Pakistani intelligence operative who allegedly transmitted videos of Wangchuk’s protests across the border. The investigation has raised serious concerns about foreign involvement in the ongoing regional unrest.
Jamwal described Wangchuk as a pivotal figure in the violent clashes that erupted on Wednesday, which resulted in the unfortunate loss of four lives and left many others wounded. The police have taken significant measures, including the detention of Wangchuk under the National Security Act, and he has been transferred to a jail in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
“While it is not feasible to disclose specific findings from our investigation at this moment, we are following vital leads,” Jamwal stated. He urged the public to examine Wangchuk’s online presence, particularly on YouTube, where his speeches appear to promote unrest, drawing parallels to the Arab Spring and more recent disturbances in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
The police chief highlighted concerns regarding Wangchuk’s foreign visits, labeling them as suspicious. “He attended an event hosted by The Dawn in Pakistan and made a trip to Bangladesh,” Jamwal reported, raising additional red flags regarding potential foreign funding and violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).
Wangchuk, who has led protests organized by the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance demanding statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to the Union Territory of Ladakh, has faced scrutiny not only for his activism but also for his alleged attempts to disrupt negotiations between the Centre and local leaders.
Jamwal asserted that Wangchuk continued a hunger strike despite awareness of an impending informal meeting scheduled for September 25. “On the eve of this crucial meeting, provocative videos and statements contributed to escalating tension, culminating in the tragic violence witnessed on Wednesday,” he noted.
Following the violence, Jamwal detailed that three Nepalese nationals sustained bullet injuries and that additional involvement of foreign elements is under review. The police have detained around 50 individuals connected to the disturbances, with several being identified as key instigators of the unrest. Jamwal confirmed, “Given the circumstances, Wangchuk’s actions classify him as a principal instigator, and thus he remains incarcerated in an external facility.”
Responses to the situation are evolving as authorities prepare for a new round of discussions between the Centre and regional leaders, with influential figures from Ladakh invited for talks on October 6. The DGP’s comments indicate that this ongoing scrutiny into foreign involvement reflects deeper issues concerning regional stability and governance.
As the public and political stakeholders await developments, the situation underscores the intricate balance between activism, nationalism, and foreign influence in India’s sensitive border regions. Wangchuk’s case may well become a focal point for future policy discussions in Ladakh and beyond.
