Activist Sonam Wangchuk Alleges House Arrest, Questions Winter Polls

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday claimed that he had been placed a 60-day under house arrest by the police ahead of planned protests against the upcoming council polls.An order by the Additional District Magistrate of Leh was issued a day after Wangchuck was removed from a protest site in Leh amid protests by Ladakhi groups opposing the government's decision to hold Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) elections on December 4.

The administration has cited a police report and a letter by the senior superintendent of police Leh requesting to issue preventive orders and imposition of restriction orders upon Sonum Wangchuk.

"I, Additional District Magistrate, Leh, hereby impose restrictions on Sonam Wangchuk on his movement and to refrain from engaging in any activity, organising or participating in any unauthorised rally, procession or public gathering or conduct that is likely to cause a breach of public peace, disturbance of public tranquillity or obstruction to the peaceful conduct of the ongoing electoral processes within the territorial…