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 jurisdiction of District Leh,'' reads the order.
The magistrate has invoked section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to impose restrictions on Wangchuk's movement.
"This order shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain in force for a period of 60 days,'' reads the order.
The restriction order has come weeks ahead of the hill council elections.
Wangchuk and other local leaders have opposed the timing of the polls, arguing that winter conditions and seasonal migration will disenfranchise many voters in Ladakh.
Hours before the formal restoration order against Sonam Wangchuk, the climate activist said that he was put under house arrest and dozens of cops have surrounded his home.
"I AM UNDER HOUSE ARREST. Dozens of armed guards surround my house while the government version says 'I have been advised to stay at home'. All for asking uncomfortable questions like... why is the Judicial Enquiry Commission Report (of last year's killings in Leh) is delayed & a phoney Council election is foisted on people with rocket speed in mid winter. Whole of Ladakh is in protest. My X, Instagram & YouTube reach have been drastically suppressed in the world's largest democracy. Please help share this message,'' he posted on X.
Source : ndtv.com
