Ladakh’s Director General of Police (DGP) S D Singh Jamwal confirmed on Saturday that Sonam Wangchuk is under investigation for potential links to Pakistan. This announcement stems from the recent arrest of a Pakistani intelligence operative who allegedly transmitted videos of protests led by Wangchuk across the border.
Jamwal identified Wangchuk as a pivotal figure in the protests that led to violence claiming four lives and injuring numerous others earlier this week. On Friday, law enforcement detained Wangchuk under the stringent National Security Act, subsequently transferring him to a correctional facility in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
“The findings from our investigation regarding Wangchuk are sensitive and cannot be disclosed at this time. However, one can infer much from his online presence,” Jamwal stated. He noted that Wangchuk’s speeches, referencing movements like the Arab Spring and unrest in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, acted as provocations.
“We are reviewing potential foreign funding and violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act against him. Importantly, a person of interest from Pakistan was supplying footage back to his country from the protests led by Wangchuk,” he explained.
Jamwal further highlighted Wangchuk’s international involvement, recalling his attendance at a recent event hosted by the Pakistani publication, The Dawn, and a prior visit to Bangladesh. “These visits raise significant suspicion regarding his intents,” he remarked to reporters.
Wangchuk has been a central figure in a movement advocating for statehood and the extension of the sixth schedule to the Union Territory, representing the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance.
“Wangchuk sought to commandeer this movement and undermine dialogues between Central leaders and Ladakhi representatives,” the DGP added. The Centre had extended an invitation for fresh discussions set for October 6.
Despite the upcoming informal meeting, Wangchuk continued his hunger strike, a decision deemed provocative given the rising tensions. “A day prior to the informal discussions, there was a direct attempt to disrupt the peace by disseminating inflammatory videos and making incendiary statements, which ultimately contributed to the violence that ensued on Wednesday,” Jamwal clarified.
Commenting on remarks made by Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta concerning foreign conspiracies related to the violence, Jamwal confirmed that three individuals from Nepal were among those hospitalized with gunshot wounds, indicating broader foreign involvement.
In total, police have detained around 50 individuals in connection with Wednesday’s unrest, with around six being identified as critical ringleaders behind the violent episodes. “Wangchuk, as the main instigator, has been placed in a jail outside the region,” the DGP concluded.
