Sonam Wangchuk: Four people were killed and more than 70 civilians and security staff were hurt during violent protests in Leh on September 24, 2025. Unrest broke out when people wanted Ladakh to be added to the Sixth Schedule and become a state. Protesters fought with police and CRPF troops. The authorities were very strict, even firing in self-defense, and a curfew was put in place, which was later slowly lifted.
Part Sonam Wangchuk Played in Her Arrest
Director General of Police (DGP) of Ladakh S.D. Singh Jamwal said that environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk was the main person who started the protests that went violent. Wangchuk was arrested under the strict National Security Act (NSA) because he was accused of using speeches and protests to stir up trouble. There are comparisons to the Arab Spring and the Gen Z movements, which the government says were meant to stop talks between local groups and the government that were already going on.
There have been claims of foreign ties
The Ladakh DGP made a serious accusation: a person of Indian origin (PIO) living in Pakistan who was in touch with Wangchuk had been caught not long ago. According to the records, this person went to an event in Pakistan and also went to Bangladesh. Wangchuk’s connections, possible funding problems, and possible Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) violations are being looked into in relation to the organizations he started, especially the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL).
Effects on politics and society
Unrest and the investigation into Wangchuk have made people in Ladakh more politically aware. The Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance were in talks about political standing and protections, but Wangchuk’s demand for Sixth Schedule status and statehood is seen by the government as getting in the way of talks. The DGP said that he was using disruptive methods to take over peaceful platforms.
Government and Security Response
Authorities praised the bravery of police and CRPF members who kept the violence under control in dangerous situations, freed officials who were stuck, and dealt with mobs that set fires and threw stones. Security forces are still looking into larger networks that might be behind the unrest, including foreigners and people they think are involved. The Centre has made it clear that people with political goals are using neighbourhood complaints to break the peace.
