Sonam Wangchuk
SRINAGAR: A day after Leh Apex Body (LAB) member and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk compared situation in Ladakh with Tibet, the Central Tibetan Administration, based in Dharamshala, Friday evening expressed deep concern over remarks of Wangchuk called the comparison misplaced and inaccurate and stating “Tibet continues to remain under China's authoritarian rule. ” “The Central Tibetan Administration expresses deep concern over remarks made by Sonam Wangchuk in his recent public speech in Ladakh, in which he compared the situation in Ladakh with that of inside Tibet,” Tenzin Lekshay official spokesperson of the Central Tibetan Administration said, adding that CTA considers such a comparison misplaced and inaccurate. “His statement doesn't reflect the real situation inside Tibet. Tibet continues to remain under China's authoritarian rule. where Tibetans face systematic repression of their fundamental rights, religious freedom; and intensification of measures aimed at erasing its distinct cultural identity,” Lekshay added. Wangchuk, addressing people in Leh on the first anniversary of the Sept 24, 2025 violence, said the alleged breach of promises made to Ladakh over the Sixth Schedule and statehood was the “root cause” of last year’s protests. On September 24 2025, police allegedly opened fire on protesters demanding Sixth Schedule status and statehood for Ladakh after demonstrations turned violent, killing four people and injuring nearly 90. He feared he could be subjected to an “encounter” for speaking out against what he called atrocities in Ladakh, a year after police firing killed four protesters in Leh. Drawing a comparison with Tibet, Wangchuk said Ladakhis had chosen India because of its democracy. “Today, such atrocities are being committed in Ladakh that even China is not doing in Tibet. That is what you are seeing today,” he said. He sought a people’s tribunal to probe the killings, saying a judicial commission set up by Union home ministry had yet to submit its report. “Last year on this day, four people died... Bullets hit their chests, backs, and heads. Those were not pellets that would merely injure you or hurt your eyes. Bullets were fired indiscriminately from automatic weapons, like AK-47s, at the unarmed youth of Ladakh who were peacefully demanding their rights,” Wangchuk alleged. He rejected claims that the protests were triggered by him. He alleged that before the 2020 LAHDC-Leh elections, Ladakhi representatives opposed to holding polls were taken to New Delhi on a special flight and promised statehood and Sixth Schedule status. He blamed “govt failure to honour those promises” for last year’s demonstrations. Authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions in Leh after the alleged “arson and rioting” and subsequent police firing last year. FIRs were filed and 81 people arrested, including Wangchuk. He was charged under NSA and sent to Jodhpur jail. After 170 days, Union govt withdrew his detention on March 14 this year and he was set free.
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He feared further action, saying: “They sent me to jail. Inquiries have been made against me. Only an encounter is left. I am ready for that. It is my last wish. Experts tell me that you will be subjected to an encounter. So be it. Let the country wake up, this is my hope.” A complete shutdown was observed in Leh on Thursday, designated as Martyr’s Day. Wangchuk accused authorities of stopping people from attending the rally, a claim denied by police. Police said the Ladakh Buddhist Association had sought permission for a public meeting at Leh’s NDS stadium, which has a capacity of 10,000. The administration granted permission for a prayer meet from 10am to noon. Police claimed a turnout of 800 at the event and denied allegations that they erected barricades to stop people from reaching the venue.Also read: Wangchuk fears 'encounter' after accusing govt of Ladakh atrocities
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