Wangchuk Seeks Judicial Probe Into Leh Firing as LAHDC Elections Face Delay

SRINAGAR: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, currently detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in Jodhpur Central Jail, has called for an independent judicial inquiry into last week’s firing incident in Leh that left four people dead and nearly a hundred injured, even as uncertainty deepens over the delayed elections to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, reports appearing in the media said.

In a message relayed through his brother Tsetan Dorjey Ley and lawyer Mustafa Haj, who met him in jail on October 4, Wangchuk said he was “doing well, both physically and mentally” and thanked people for their concern and prayers. Expressing grief over the loss of lives in the September 24 violence, he said, “My heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and my prayers are with the injured and those arrested.”

“I demand an independent judicial inquiry into the killing of our four people, and unless that is done, I am prepared to stay in jail,” Wangchuk said in his message. Reiterating his support to the Apex Body of Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), he added, “I stand firmly with the people of Ladakh in our genuine constitutional demand for Sixth Schedule and Statehood. Whatever action the Apex Body takes in the interest of Ladakh, I am with them wholeheartedly.”

He also urged the people to maintain peace and unity, saying, “Continue with our struggle peacefully, in the true Gandhian way of non-violence.”

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday (October 6) a petition filed by Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, seeking his immediate release from preventive detention. The plea, listed before a Bench of Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice N. V. Anjaria, challenges the NSA order as “illegal, arbitrary, and unconstitutional.”

Angmo has alleged that neither she nor Wangchuk has been provided with a copy of the detention order and that she remains under virtual house arrest in Leh. The petition accuses the Ladakh administration of carrying out a “mala fide” crackdown to suppress peaceful dissent, including “harassment of students and staff” of the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL) — the educational institution founded by Wangchuk.

She also told the court that Wangchuk’s transfer to Jodhpur, far from Ladakh, had caused “severe mental anguish” in the community. The petition mentioned that a member of the Ladakh Buddhist Association allegedly took his life out of distress over Wangchuk’s detention.

The September 24 violence erupted during a hunger strike led by Wangchuk in Leh, as protesters demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status clashed with security forces. The protests turned violent after mobs allegedly set ablaze the BJP office, the Leh Hill Council complex, and several vehicles. Security forces opened fire, leading to four civilian deaths and injuries to nearly 100 others, including 30 security personnel.

Though restrictions have since been eased, tension continues to simmer in Leh. Schools up to Class VIII and public transport resumed only this week.

Meanwhile, reports from Jammu-based media, including Daily Excelsior, suggest that LAHDC Leh elections are unlikely to be held this month, missing the five-year constitutional timeline. The current Council’s term, led by the BJP, expires on November 2, but no notification has been issued for fresh polls.

In 2020, the poll notification was issued on September 18, voting was held on October 16, and the Council was sworn in on November 2. Officials say the delay this year is due to the post-violence situation, unresolved issues over district restructuring, and the pending 33% reservation for women in both Leh and Kargil councils.

“Given the current unrest and incomplete groundwork, it is almost certain that elections will be postponed to April,” a senior official was quoted as saying. Ladakh’s severe winter from November to March makes polling impossible during those months.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had announced five new districts for Ladakh last year, but their administrative boundaries and headquarters are yet to be finalised. The delay in identifying constituencies for women’s reservation has further complicated the election process.

In Leh on Saturday, Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal reiterated the administration’s commitment to “protecting Ladakh’s ecosystem, identity, and youth aspirations,” while rejecting allegations of “commercial exploitation of resources.”

“There is no commercial exploitation of resources at all,” Kotwal told reporters, adding that the administration was keen to restart the dialogue process with the Apex Body and KDA soon.

He said 30 of the 70 detained youth after the September 24 incident have been released, and the remaining are in judicial custody pending court orders. “We will ensure that no innocent youngster faces hardship or wrongful implication,” he said.

Kotwal accused some local leaders of “derailing the dialogue process” for political motives. “Certain sections, agitated by the prospect of meaningful progress through dialogue, deliberately created a law and order situation,” he claimed, urging all sides to “let the investigation proceed unhindered.”

He reaffirmed that the government remains committed to “inclusive development” and “peaceful engagement” with all stakeholders in Ladakh.

The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, emphasised today that sustained peace is essential for the region’s growth and reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to ensuring steady development, stability, and prosperity across the Union Territory.

Gupta was speaking while chairing a high-level security review meeting attended by Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal, Director General of Police SD Singh Jamwal, DIG Srinagar South PK Singh, Deputy Commissioner Leh, Senior Superintendent of Police Leh, and other senior officials.

Officials briefed the Lieutenant Governor on the current situation, reporting that daily life and public activities across Ladakh continue smoothly and the overall situation remains peaceful and normal.

Gupta appreciated the people of Ladakh for their cooperation with the Administration and security forces, noting that their sense of discipline and responsibility has played a significant role in maintaining harmony during the recent relaxation period.

Expressing satisfaction over the prevailing calm, Gupta directed officials to maintain close coordination among various agencies to ensure continued peace and order. He stressed the importance of vigilance, proactive engagement, and community participation in safeguarding public safety and harmony.

The Lieutenant Governor also assured that the remaining restrictions, imposed as a precautionary measure, will be reviewed soon and lifted in a phased manner as the situation continues to remain stable. He reiterated the Administration’s commitment to transparent, accountable, and people-focused governance, saying that collective efforts of the Government and citizens will guide Ladakh on the path of lasting peace, progress, and prosperity.