Sonam Wangchuk under house arrest amid Ladakh election protest

Police remove activist from protest site

This action occurred as hill council elections proceeded under specific government curbs.

Authorities cite prohibitory orders for election curbs

Ladakh Police stated their actions against Wangchuk complied with prohibitory orders from the Chief Electoral Officer of the Union Territory and the Leh District Magistrate.

These orders regulate public rallies, protests, and gatherings within the Leh Municipality limits during the election exercise.

Wangchuk challenges restrictions and winter poll timing

Wangchuk stated he intends to challenge these movement restrictions before the Magistrate, High Court, and Supreme Court.

While authorities claimed he was advised to stay home, Wangchuk argued the heavy security presence constitutes house arrest. He further described holding elections in winter as unacceptable because many Ladakh residents would be away from the region.

Leh Apex Body protests against December 4 council elections

The Leh Apex Body, of which Wangchuk is a prominent member, was preparing for a sit-in protest alongside the Kargil Democratic Alliance. The Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance were preparing for a sit-in protest, and the Autonomous Hill Development Council elections are scheduled for December 4.

On November 11, Wangchuk issued an SOS and questioned the "rocket speed rush" for these hill council polls. On the same day, Wangchuk and other leaders issued an SOS call seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention regarding the winter elections and warned of potential agitation.

Allegations of smear campaign and administrative witch-hunt

Wangchuk has previously accused the Ladakh administration of conducting a witch-hunt and a smear campaign. On November 7, he specifically alleged a smear campaign by the Ladakh Lieutenant Governor and described himself as "witch-hunted, defamed".

On the same day, Wangchuk appealed to President Droupadi Murmu and alleged a smear campaign by the administration. He also alleged "police state" conditions in Ladakh and sought intervention from the President.

Regional context of Ladakh as a union territory

This area has been disputed by India and Pakistan since 1947 and by India and China since 1959.

To the north, it lies across the Karakoram Pass from Xinjiang, extending from the Siachen Glacier to the Great Himalayas. The uninhabited Aksai Chin plains are claimed by India but have been under Chinese control since 1962.