Ladakh Police escorted climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to his residence on Wednesday due to prohibitory orders restricting public gatherings during the ongoing election process in Leh. The police action was taken under the Chief Electoral Officer's and District Magistrate's orders, which ban public rallies, protests, and other meetings within Leh Municipality limits. Wangchuk posted a video message following the police action, appealing to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and the Indian people for intervention in Ladakh's situation.
In his video message titled "Ladakh's SOS Appeal to the Nation," Wangchuk claimed that the judicial inquiry into the September 24 incidents in Leh has been slow, over a year after the events, and that talks on restoring democracy in the Union Territory have broken down. He questioned the timing and conduct of the upcoming council elections, alleging that the administration is pushing ahead with them to install people of its choice to negotiate on issues concerning democracy and safeguards for Ladakh.
Wangchuk also raised concerns over the proposed election schedule, pointing out that December and January are the coldest and snowiest months in the region, with temperatures dropping below minus 30 degrees Celsius in several places. He claimed that nearly half of the population migrates out of Ladakh during this period for education, holidays, and pilgrimage. With weather reports forecasting heavy snowfall during the election week, Wangchuk said people across different regions of Ladakh were protesting against the proposed councils and the manner in which the elections were being conducted.
Leaders from Leh and Kargil, including the Member of Parliament, had reportedly come together to appeal to the President, Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Leader of Opposition to intervene. Wangchuk warned that people could be forced to launch peaceful but intense protests if their concerns were not addressed.