Ladakh’s Director General of Police S D Singh Jamwal confirmed on Saturday that Sonam Wangchuk is under investigation for potential connections to Pakistan after a Pakistani intelligence operative’s arrest last month.
This operative reportedly sent videos of Wangchuk’s protests across the border, raising serious security concerns. Jamwal described Wangchuk as a key figure behind recent violence that tragically resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to many others.
On Friday, authorities placed Wangchuk under the National Security Act and transferred him to a jail in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Jamwal noted, “We cannot disclose the findings of the investigation at this moment. The inquiry is ongoing.”
Wangchuk has attracted scrutiny for his provocative speeches, linking unrest in Ladakh to movements like the Arab Spring, with criticism focused on his potential agenda. Jamwal pointed to allegations of foreign funding and violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), noting that a Pakistani intel operative reported on protests led by Wangchuk.
Jamwal highlighted Wangchuk’s past international visits, labeling them as suspicious. “He participated in an event hosted by The Dawn in Pakistan and visited Bangladesh,” he stated during a press briefing.
Wangchuk has emerged as a key leader in the agitation led by the **Leh Apex Body** and **Kargil Democratic Alliance**, advocating for statehood and the extension of the sixth schedule in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
According to Jamwal, Wangchuk attempted to seize control of the protest platform, risking communication between the Centre and local factions. On October 6, government leaders are scheduled for renewed discussions.
The DGP remarked on Wangchuk’s persistent hunger strike, which continued even with knowledge of potential dialogues taking place. “Just one day before an informal dialogue between the two sides on September 25, deliberate actions were taken that disrupted the peace with provocative communications,” he said. These actions culminated in the violent occurrences witnessed on Wednesday.
Concerning remarks made by Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta, who hinted at foreign conspiracies influencing the violence, Jamwal disclosed that three citizens from Nepal had sustained bullet wounds and that further investigations regarding the involvement of other individuals were underway.
In total, police have apprehended 50 individuals related to the unrest, with roughly half of them identified as potential ringleaders. “Clearly, Wangchuk, who has been identified as the primary instigator, is currently held in an external facility,” the DGP stated.
The investigation into Wangchuk’s activities and associations with foreign elements underscores the complexities surrounding the ongoing agitation for statehood in Ladakh.
