Sonam Wangchuk marks one year since NSA detention, sets Oct 2 deadline
Activist Sonam Wangchuk arrives in Delhi, marking one year since his NSA detention and setting an October 2 deadline for Ladakh's Sixth Schedule demands.
Marking exactly one year since his detention under the National Security Act (NSA), activist Sonam Wangchuk arrived in Delhi on Sunday to demand urgent action on Ladakh's political future. Highlighting a lack of progress regarding statehood and Sixth Schedule protections, the activist has set a critical deadline of October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, for the government to show tangible results.
A year of detention and unresolved questions
Wangchuk’s arrival in the capital comes at a heavy emotional moment for his family, who visited Jodhpur jail on the anniversary of his detention. Reflecting on the events of September 24 last year, which saw significant violence in Leh, Wangchuk questioned the lack of accountability from high-ranking officials.
“I want to ask what happened to the results of the inquiry commission set up for those incidents,” Wangchuk stated. He expressed frustration that the officials, including the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the Home Minister, have yet to provide answers regarding the actions taken during the unrest. He further noted that compensation for those who lost their lives remains inadequate and many legal cases are still dragging on, leaving people in a state of uncertainty.
Demands for real progress over empty promises
While the activist expressed a cautious hope for breakthroughs in government talks before October 2, he remained deeply skeptical based on past interactions. He warned that if the government continues to offer only "empty promises" without ground-level implementation, the people of Ladakh will be forced to escalate their struggle.
“As citizens, we'll have to resort to peaceful protests and demonstrations,” he cautioned, adding that a final decision on the course of action would be communicated later. “We hope it won't come to that.”
Concerns over local governance and policy
A major point of contention for Wangchuk is the manner in which policies are being drafted. He alleged that critical decisions regarding land, tourism, industrial policy, and local governance are being made without consulting the local population. This, he argues, threatens the very foundation of the region's democratic structure.
“If they get all that done now, what's left for the democratic structure to do?” he asked, questioning whether the authorities are operating under the assumption that local democratic processes will never be established.
Context of the Leh violence and legal shifts
The current tension stems from the serious law and order situation that unfolded in Leh on September 24, 2025, which resulted in four deaths during police action. Following these events, Wangchuk was detained under the NSA on September 26, 2025, by order of the District Magistrate of Leh. He was eventually released from Jodhpur Jail in March 2026, having served nearly half of his detention period.
In a recent attempt to foster peace, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved the withdrawal of criminal cases against 20 individuals involved in the Leh violence, citing the need for social harmony and public tranquillity in the Union Territory.
On the diplomatic front, recent discussions have taken place between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the leadership of the Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance. According to Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, these meetings have focused on the possibility of incorporating special provisions under Article 371 to safeguard the interests of the local residents.