Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk has been arrested just days after four people were killed and over 50 were injured after a peaceful protest turned violent in Leh.
Wangchuk was arrested under the National Security Act for allegedly inciting demonstrators.
The arrest also comes a day after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) cancelled the FCRA of Wangchuk's NGO. The CBI had initiated a preliminary inquiry into alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act by Wangchuk's NGO Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh, (SECMOL). It cited “financial irregularities” as the reason for the action. The ministry also claimed that Wangchuk incited the mob with ‘provocative statements’.
The activist and educator denied all allegations made by the Centre and the Union Territories administration.
Wangchuck's arrest was confirmed by police chief DGP SD Singh Jamwal.
Wangchuk has been a prominent figure in the mobilisation of the youth protesters and has been associated with the movement's demands for statehood.
On Wednesday, youth-led protests in Leh, Ladakh, over statehood and constitutional protections turned violent and resulted in clashes with security forces. Vehicles and offices were torched, and stones were pelted, and police used tear gas and baton charges to disperse the crowd.
Following the violence, internet services in Leh were suspended, and curfews were imposed.
The protesters had demanded full Statehood for Ladakh, inclusion of the Union Territory in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, separate parliamentary representation for Leh and Kargil, and job and land safeguards for residents.