Activist Sonam Wangchuk Arrested After Violence In Ladakh
The arrest comes two days after four persons were killed in violence that erupted in Leh.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested on Friday, two days after Ladakh witnessed unrest as the stir over statehood demand turned violence.
The arrest comes two days after four persons were killed in widespread clashes between protesters supporting the movement for statehood to Ladakh and security personnel, amid a shutdown in Leh.
At least 50 people have been detained so far in connection with the violence that broke out on Wednesday during the shutdown called by Leh Apex Body (LAB) to demand an extension of the Sixth Schedule and statehood for Ladakh.
On Thursday, Wangchuk alleged that the government was building a case against him to put him behind bars. The activist, who has been leading the peaceful agitation for statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, also raised the alarm over his personal safety.
"I see they are building up a case to bring me under the Public Safety Act and throw me in jail for two years," he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. "I am ready for that, but Sonam Wangchuk in jail may cause them more problems than free Sonam Wangchuk."
Govt Cancels FCRA Licence of Wangchuk-led SECMOL
The Union Home Ministry cancelled the FCRA licence of Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) founded by Wangchuk, with "immediate effect", a government order said. The action of the ministry was based on several alleged discrepancies detected in the accounts of the organisation including a fund transfer from Sweden which the ministry found was against "national interest".
The Wangchuk-led organisation was granted the licence to accept foreign contribution for undertaking cultural and educational programmes. Besides SECMOL, Wangchuk had also founded the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL), which is facing CBI inquiry related to alleged Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, or FCRA, violations.
The ministry also red flagged another transfer of Rs 54,600 local funds in FCRA accounts of the organisation, which the latter claimed a mistake.
A foreign contribution from Sweden of around Rs 4.93 lakh for creating awareness among youth on issues such as migration, climate change, global warming, food security and sovereignty and organic farming through different workshops and trainings is also under the scanner of the ministry.
With inputs from PTI
