Politics · India Bureau
Ladakh Police Remove Climate Activist Wangchuk from Protest Site
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was escorted from a protest site in Leh and advised to remain indoors as authorities enforce restrictions ahead of hill council elections. The action followed his public opposition to December 4 polling dates amid harsh winter conditions.
LSN India ·
Ladakh Police removed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from a protest site on Wednesday and directed him to stay at his residence, citing prohibitory orders issued by electoral and administrative authorities.
Wangchuk, along with representatives from the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, had publicly objected to holding Ladakh Autonomous Hill Council elections on December 4, citing severe winter weather and mass seasonal migration from the region. The authorities classified the preventive action as compliance with orders regulating public gatherings within Leh Municipality during the election period.
"Sonam Wangchuk has been advised to stay at his residence in view of the prohibitory orders issued by the Chief Electoral Officer, UT Ladakh, and the District Magistrate, Leh," Ladakh Director General of Police Anand Jain stated.
The police issued a public intimation explaining that the action against Wangchuk was taken under regulations governing protests and public assemblies in Leh Municipality. The restrictions remain in effect throughout the ongoing election exercise for the eight Ladakh Autonomous Hill Council constituencies.