On Saturday, S D Singh Jamwal, the Director General of Police for Ladakh, announced that Sonam Wangchuk is under investigation for suspected links to Pakistan following the arrest of a Pakistani intelligence operative who reportedly transmitted videos of Wangchuk’s protests. This development comes in the wake of recent violence in Ladakh, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to many others.
Jamwal described Wangchuk as a crucial figure in the unrest that occurred earlier in the week. The police detained him under the National Security Act (NSA) and subsequently moved him to a jail in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. “Details of the ongoing investigation remain confidential at this time,” Jamwal stated, emphasizing that Wangchuk’s public persona has drawn scrutiny.
The police chief pointed out that Wangchuk’s speeches have fueled tensions, citing references to the Arab Spring and unrest in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka as incitements. “He had his own agenda which we are currently probing for possible foreign funding and violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Our investigation involves a Pakistani Intelligence Operative who was sharing video reports of Wangchuk’s protests,” Jamwal added.
Jamwal noted Wangchuk’s foreign travels, particularly to Pakistan for an event hosted by The Dawn newspaper and to Bangladesh, which he termed “suspicious.” Wangchuk has been a prominent leader in the agitation led by the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance advocating for statehood and the extension of the sixth schedule to their Union Territory.
In his statements, Jamwal accused Wangchuk of hijacking the movement’s platform and attempting to disrupt ongoing dialogues between government representatives and local leaders. The government has invited these leaders for a new round of talks set for October 6.
Despite being aware of an informal meeting scheduled for September 25, Wangchuk continued his hunger strike, an action that Jamwal described as provocative. “Just a day before the informal discussions, provocative statements and videos surfaced, aiming to disrupt the peaceful dialogue, ultimately leading to the violence we witnessed,” he commented.
Following the violence on Wednesday, Jamwal also elaborated on comments made by Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta regarding foreign conspiracy. Three Nepalese nationals were hospitalized with bullet injuries, indicating a potential international dimension to the unrest. In total, authorities have arrested 50 individuals connected to the violence, several of whom are considered ringleaders.
“It is evident that Wangchuk played a key instigating role. Hence, he has been placed in an outside jail for his security and the safety of the public,” concluded Jamwal. This investigation raises significant questions about national security as authorities continue to scrutinize the potential impact of the unrest on broader regional stability.
