Wangchuk said holding the elections during winter was “unacceptable”, as a significant section of Ladakh’s population would be away from the region.
Leh: A day after police removed Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site and escorted him to his residence, the climate activist on Thursday claimed that he had been placed under house arrest and around 20–25 police and paramilitary personnel had been deployed outside his Ladakh residence.
Wangchuk, who is a prominent member of Leh Apex Body (LAB), said he would challenge the restrictions on his movement before the appropriate legal forums, including the Magistrate, High Court and Supreme Court, questioning how a person could be prevented from participating in a peaceful protest without being formally arrested.
In a video message shared on his social media accounts, including X and Facebook, late Thursday night, the activist said several security personnel, along with multiple vehicles and tents, had been stationed outside his residence since Wednesday night.
He also alleged that armed personnel were deployed on all sides of his house during the day, restricting his movement.
Referring to the authorities’ reported claim that he had merely been “advised to stay at home”, Wangchuk questioned the distinction, saying the heavy security deployment effectively amounted to house arrest.
He said the restrictions were placed on him as he and fellow activists, including leaders of LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), were preparing for a sit-in protest over various demands concerning Ladakh, including the timing of the upcoming Autonomous Hill Development Council elections, scheduled for December 4.
