Sonam Wangchuk, an environmental campaigner and school reformer, was detained under the National Security Act, but the central government has now released her. The Ministry of Home Affairs made the decision, which means that he will no longer be detained without a trial, which began in September of last year.
Ladakh’s political leaders and groups praised the move, calling it a win for the region’s people. They also made it clear that protests over their main requests would go on.
The centre takes back the detention order
The Ministry of Home Affairs said that the arrest order for Sonam Wangchuk has been lifted after careful consideration. The government said the move was made to make Ladakh a place of peace, security, and trust so that people can talk to each other in a positive way.
The government said the protester had already served almost half of the maximum time allowed under the National Security Act for preventive detention. The decision to end the arrest was made, according to officials, to start serious conversations with regional community leaders and groups.
The government also said again that it would protect Ladakh’s interests and work out problems in the area through discussion and established groups like the High-Powered Committee.
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The reason Wangchuk was held
Sonam Wangchuk was arrested on September 26, 2025, under the National Security Act. This was because of a major law-and-order issue in the town of Leh the previous day. To restore order in the area, the Leh District Magistrate sanctioned the arrests.
4 people died and many more were hurt during the chaos
The government said that Wangchuk’s statements had inflamed emotions, which is why he was detained under preventive detention laws.
After being arrested, he was sent to the Jodhpur Central Jail in Rajasthan, where he stayed for a few months.
Government Talks About How Protests Have Had an Effect
In its statement, the government said that the ongoing protests and bandhs had made it hard for people to live normally in Ladakh. Officials say the situation has affected many groups, including students, job seekers, companies, tour providers, and tourists.
According to the authorities, long-term problems had also hurt the local economy and made the area less peaceful. The Centre stressed that restoring security and fostering dialogue were key to meeting the needs and wants of the people of Ladakh.
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Leaders in Ladakh are happy with the decision
Leaders of the Leh Apex Body were happy that the arrest order had been revoked and said it proved their long-standing desire to have Wangchuk freed. Many officials said the change was a win for Ladakh and for the people who had been fighting over problems in the area.
Following the law and order disturbance that shook the town of Leh on September 24, 2025, Wangchuk was taken into custody on September 26, 2025. The District Magistrate of Leh, in a bid to restore calm, had ordered his arrest under the National Security Act.
Wangchuk’s already served nearly half the sentence mandated by the Act
The Supreme Court has scheduled March 10 for the concluding hearing regarding a challenge to Sonam Wangchuk’s arrest, which was made under the National Security Act. The plea itself was submitted on February 26th.
The court also asked if his public statements and social media posts could really be seen as offensive and connected to the violence in Leh on September 24, 2025.
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Protests and talks are likely to keep going
Political groups in Ladakh have said they will keep pushing for their goals even though the arrest was lifted. Representatives from both Leh and Kargil have said that there will be protests and closures until the Centre fixes its problems.
The government, on the other hand, said it hoped the move would help make things easier for people to talk and negotiate. The current priority, according to officials, is to collaborate with all involved to resolve Ladakh’s issues and maintain lasting stability in the region.
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