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Ladakh LG Welcomes Release of Activist Sonam Wangchuk, Stresses Dialogue

Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, V.K. Saxena, has welcomed the Ministry of Home Affairs' decision to revoke the National Security Act detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. Saxena stated the move fosters peace and that all issues in Ladakh should be resolved through dialogue, not agitation. The decision was also welcomed by figures like former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, though she criticized the initial detention. Wangchuk had been held since September 2025 following violent protests in Leh.

Key Points: Ladakh LG Hails MHA Decision to Revoke Sonam Wangchuk's Detention

  • MHA revokes NSA detention of Sonam Wangchuk
  • Ladakh LG welcomes decision as peace move
  • Calls for resolving issues through dialogue, not agitation
  • Release comes amid Supreme Court habeas corpus hearing
2 min read

Ladakh LG welcomes MHA decision to revoke detention of Sonam Wangchuk

Ladakh LG V.K. Saxena welcomes the Centre's move to release climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, calling it a step towards peace and dialogue in the region.

"a positive step by the Centre towards fostering an environment of peace, stability and mutual trust - LG V.K. Saxena's office"

Jammu, March 14

Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, V.K. Saxena, on Saturday welcomed the Ministry of Home Affairs decision to revoke the National Security Act detention of climate activist, Sonam Wangchuk, adding that all issues could be resolved amicably through dialogue and engagement.

The office of Ladakh L-G posted on X, "Hon'ble Lt Governor, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena has welcomed the decision to revoke the detention of Shri Sonam Wangchuk and said it was a positive step by the Centre towards fostering an environment of peace, stability and mutual trust in #Ladakh.

"Shri Saxena maintained that there is no space for agitation and violence in #Ladakh and all issues pertaining to the aspirations and concerns of the people, would be addressed through dialogue with various stakeholders, community leaders and citizens in #Ladakh".

The decision to revoke the detention of Sonam Wangchuk was welcomed by former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

Addressing a media conference here today she welcomed the MHA's decision, but added that the decision to detain the Ladakh environment activist should not have been taken in the very first place.

Sajjad Kargili, leader of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) that collaborates with the Leh Apex Body (LAB) for Ladakh's demands reacted on X saying, "The revocation of NSA against Shri Sonam Wangchuk is a welcome move. However, our struggle of our legitimate rights continues."

He demanded that activists Deldan Namgial and Smanla Dorjey also be released and all charges against those detained on September 24 should be dropped unconditionally.

The 58-year-old Wangchuk has been held at the Jodhpur Central Jail in Rajasthan since September 26, 2025, nearly six months after the ongoing protests in Ladakh turned violent in the UT's main city Leh, where four people died and over 160 were injured.

The decision on Saturday came while the Supreme Court has been hearing a habeas corpus petition challenging Wangchuk's detention.

The government had consistently maintained he "instigated" the unrest.

On Saturday, though, it said it needed to release him to ensure peace and an end to "atmosphere of bandhs and protests" in Ladakh.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While I welcome his release, I agree with Mehbooba Mufti. Why was he detained under NSA in the first place? It sets a worrying precedent for environmental activists across India. The government needs to be more transparent about such decisions.
A
Ananya R
Ladakh is a sensitive region, and stability is paramount. The LG is right - there is no space for violence. But the concerns of the people regarding land, jobs, and culture are genuine. Hope this revocation is the start of a real 'Samvad', not just a political move.
K
Karthik V
Good decision, but it came too late and under Supreme Court pressure. The government should also release the other activists as Kargili said. Ladakhi people have been peaceful for decades, their demands need a hearing, not jail time. #ReleaseThemAll
M
Michael C
As an observer, it seems the government is trying to de-escalate. Holding someone for six months without trial is serious. The focus now should be on addressing the root causes of the protests to prevent future unrest.
P
Priyanka N
Sonam Wangchuk is an inspiration for his work on ice stupas and education. Detaining him was a mistake that hurt India's image. Glad he's free. Now, the Centre must engage sincerely with the Leh Apex Body and KDA. Jai Hind!

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