Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been accused of inciting a mob with inflammatory statements, was arrested just one day after declaring he would be "happy to be arrested anytime for this cause." Authorities have used the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against him, sources added, a law that enables extended preventive detention without bail.
According to reports, Wangchuk was transferred to Jodhpur in Rajasthan, and Leh's internet was disconnected after his arrest to prevent the spread of misinformation.
The arrest comes after the Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) recent action to cancel the FCRA registration of Wangchuk's non-profit organization, Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), from accepting funds from outside the country.
The award-winning activist, who received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018, has denied all allegations made by the central and Union Territory administrations after violent incidents two days ago left four dead and over 50 people, including security personnel, injured.
He told NDTV that his organization did not accept foreign contributions but had engaged in business with UN, Swiss, and Italian entities, paying all due taxes.
"... They mistook it as foreign contributions. I consider it a mistake on their [Centre's] part and therefore I don't mind it. But that's what was thought of as a foreign contribution. It is not," he told NDTV's Padmaja Joshi on Thursday.
Ladakh's transition from celebrating Union Territory status in 2019—following the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir—to the present unrest over statehood demands has created speculation that foreign interference as well as local vested interests might be driving the tensions.
But long-standing grievance against a perceived political vacuum under the Lieutenant Governor has also been a prime mover. This is what made political and religious parties in Buddhist-majority Leh and Muslim-majority Kargil come together on common platforms to agitate their demands.
The Centre informed that Wangchuk had not called off the hunger strike while being aware that the government was in active talks with the Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) regarding the issues.
He also added what seemed like a warning: "I'm preparing for that [arrest]. I am looking forward to it. I don't want to be in any confusion... But I want to tell you Sonam Wangchuk in jail will be equally, if not more problematic as Sonam Wangchuk outside participating in dialogues and discussions... because it will awaken people more about how this country is being run."
The MHA also alleged that the mob was provoked by Wangchuk with his inflammatory remarks. "Incidentally, in the midst of this violent turn of events, he broke his fast and went to his village in an ambulance without making serious attempts to stem the situation," the statement added.
Besides statehood, Wangchuk has also demanded Ladakh to be brought under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which permits tribal regions to enjoy autonomous administration.
In an interview to NDTV on Thursday, Wangchuk reaffirmed he would be "happy to be arrested anytime if it is for this cause."
He put in a sharp statement: "I'm gearing up for that [arrest]. I am eagerly waiting for it. I don't wish to be in any ambiguity. But I wish to inform you Sonam Wangchuk behind bars will be just as, if not more, challenging as Sonam Wangchuk outside engaged in dialogues and discussions. because it will wake people up more about how this nation is being governed."
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah termed the arrest "unfortunate" and criticized the center.
"It is unfortunate they have arrested him. BJP will never fulfil their promises. We are not justifying violence. Who am I to justify violence, but BJP should answer why they let such a situation develop," Mr Abdullah told news agency ANI.
"He never encouraged violence. The BJP government is hiding its failure after it could not handle the issues of Ladakh," he said.
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