Fri Sep 26 17:17:24 UTC 2025: ## Ladakh Activist Sonam Wangchuk Arrested Amid Deadly Protests Over Autonomy

**Leh, Ladakh, India -** Prominent Ladakhi activist Sonam Wangchuk has been detained by Indian police, escalating tensions in the Himalayan territory following deadly unrest sparked by demands for greater autonomy. Wangchuk’s arrest on Friday came just days after authorities accused him of inciting violent protests in Leh, the regional capital, which left four demonstrators dead and dozens injured.

The unrest erupted on Wednesday as Gen Z-led protesters, demanding statehood, constitutional protections for indigenous communities, and reserved jobs, clashed with police. Protesters torched the local office of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party, and set police vehicles ablaze. Security forces responded with live fire, claiming self-defense. A curfew has been imposed across several districts and mobile internet services have been shut down in Leh in an effort to quell further violence.

The protests are rooted in simmering discontent since 2019, when the Modi government stripped Ladakh of its autonomy by separating it from Jammu and Kashmir and placing it under direct federal control. This move has fueled calls for greater self-governance and constitutional safeguards for the region’s unique culture and heritage.

Protest organizers told Al Jazeera that at least four demonstrators were killed during Wednesday’s clashes, with dozens more injured. The escalation followed the deployment of additional armed forces to the region.

Prior to his arrest, Wangchuk, known for his environmental activism and advocacy for educational reform, had staged a 14-day hunger strike in support of the protesters’ demands. The Indian interior ministry had previously revoked the license of Wangchuk’s NGO, the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh, citing alleged violations. Wangchuk has denied the accusations, claiming the violence reflects deep-seated frustration with New Delhi’s policies in the region.

Talks between Ladakhi leaders and the central government have been ongoing since last year, with the next round scheduled for October 6th. The detention of Wangchuk is likely to further inflame tensions and jeopardize the fragile dialogue aimed at resolving the long-standing grievances of the people of Ladakh.

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