National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah said the CBI inquiry into Sonam Wangchuk reflects an attempt to silence voices of dissent.
BY PC Bureau
September 25 — Ladakh remains tense a day after violent clashes in Leh claimed four lives and left nearly 90 injured, with six still in critical condition. The unrest, triggered by mounting frustration over the Centre’s failure to address Ladakh’s long-pending demands, has now snowballed into a political storm, drawing sharp criticism from regional leaders and national parties alike.
Lt Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, chaired a high-level security review meeting on Thursday, emphasising “heightened vigilance, seamless inter-agency coordination, and proactive measures” to safeguard peace and public order in the Union Territory. He also urged citizens to maintain calm as the administration struggles to contain the fallout of the protests.
However, political voices from Ladakh accused the Centre of mishandling the situation. KDA leader and former legislator Asghar Ali Karbalai lashed out, declaring: “Everyone in the Kargil division wants to send a message to the Government of India that Ladakhis will not bow down. Stop the witch-hunting and targeting of leadership.”
Incidentally, more than 50 youths have been arrested and FIR filed against Congress counsellor after the violences.
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Karbalai detailed the timeline of discontent, recalling that Ladakhis had engaged with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for five years on four key demands, but talks were repeatedly stalled. Since May, no substantive engagement has taken place. A hunger strike and peaceful protests in Leh were met with silence, even after two women fell ill during the agitation. Talks were finally announced on the 11th day of the strike but with delayed dates, leaving people feeling deceived, Karbalai said.
The resulting anger culminated in Wednesday’s clashes, when paramilitary forces opened fire on protesters. “The deceased are our heroes. If this harshness continues, unrest will only deepen, and the administration will bear full responsibility,” Karbalai warned.
Ladakh Violence: Centre Blames Wangchuk, Police Book Cong Councillor https://t.co/XHxJ9Dmgbw #LadakhViolence #SonamWangchuk #LehUnrest #CongressFIR #StatehoodDemand #PoliticalBlame
— POWER CORRIDORS (@power_corridors) September 25, 2025
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah also criticised the Centre, calling the initiation of a CBI inquiry against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk “a disturbing sign of using state agencies to suppress dissent.” He urged New Delhi to “avoid heavy-handed tactics,” warning that force would only inflame the fragile situation further.
The bodies of the four deceased were handed over to their grieving families on Thursday amid an outpouring of grief. Emotional funeral processions coursed through Leh, with community leaders calling for peace but vowing not to give up on their demands.
The Apex Body of Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have been pressing for full statehood, constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil, and an exclusive public service commission for Ladakh. So far, the Centre has not yielded, but the latest violence has intensified pressure on the Modi government to engage meaningfully with Ladakhi leadership.
For now, Ladakh stands at a crossroads — mourning its dead, simmering with anger, and waiting to see whether New Delhi will open dialogue or double down on force.
CBI PROBE:
Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated an inquiry into alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) by institutions founded by Ladakh-based educationist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, officials said on Thursday.
According to officials, no FIR has been registered yet, though a preliminary inquiry has been underway for some time. A CBI team reportedly visited the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL) and the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) last week to scrutinize financial records.
Speaking to PTI, Wangchuk confirmed that the CBI team presented him with “an order” about 10 days ago, stating that the probe was being conducted on the basis of a Ministry of Home Affairs complaint. “The order said we have not taken clearance under FCRA to receive foreign funds. We don’t want to be dependent on foreign funds, but we export our knowledge and raise revenue. In three such instances, they thought it was foreign contribution,” he explained.
Wangchuk added that investigators are examining accounts and statements of the organisations for the period between 2022 and 2024. “The teams are still camping in Ladakh and going through documents,” he said.
The inquiry comes at a time of heightened political tensions in Ladakh, with Wangchuk emerging as a central figure in recent protests over statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards for the Union Territory. Opposition leaders have already voiced concern that the use of central agencies against Wangchuk could be an attempt to suppress dissent.
