Ladakh

Welcome Wangchuk's release, no space for agitation or violence: Ladakh L-G

Ladakh Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Saturday welcomed the central government's revocation of the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act, terming it a positive step for the region.All the same, Saxena said there is "no space for agitation" and violence in the Union territory, and suggested dialogue as a means to resolve the issues. The Centre on Saturday said it has revoked with immediate effect Wangchuk's detention, nearly six months after he was arrested following violent protests in Leh that left four dead. The same day, Wangchuk was released from Jodhpur jail, where he had been kept since the detention. Saxena termed the Centre's move a "positive step", according to a statement issued by the Lok Bhavan. "Ladakh has always been known for the patriotic spirit, nationalism, and peaceful nature of its people," he said. Saxena, who took oath as the fourth Lt Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh on Friday, said all issues can be resolve

Sonam Wangchuk released from Jodhpur jail after Centre revokes detention

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was released from Jodhpur central jail on Saturday after the Union government decided to revoke his detention with immediate effect. Wangchuk was detained on September 26 last year under the National Security Act (NSA) pursuant to an order issued by the Leh district magistrate. He has already undergone nearly half of the detention period stipulated under the Act. "He was released from jail at about 1.30 pm today following an order from the central government," Ratanada Police Station SHO Dinesh Lakhawat said. His wife, Geetanjali Angmo, was here to complete the formalities. Wangchuk was detained on September 26, 2025, two days after protests over demands for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution rocked Leh. More than 45 people, including 22 policemen, were injured in the protests. He was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) on the orders of the Leh district magistrate to "maintain public order

Centre revokes Sonam Wangchuk's detention after almost six months

The Centre has decided to revoke the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk with immediate effect by exercising the powers available under the National Security Act, an official statement said on Saturday. Wangchuk was detained on September 26, 2025, two days after violent protests over demands for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution rocked Leh. He was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) on the orders of the district magistrate, Leh, to "maintain public order" and then transferred to Jodhpur prison. Wangchuk has already undergone nearly half of the period of detention under the NSA, the statement said. "The government has been actively engaging with various stakeholders and community leaders in Ladakh with a view to addressing the aspirations and concerns of the people of the region," it said.

SC adjourns hearing on plea against Sonam Wangchuk's detention to Feb 26

The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned to February 26 the hearing on a plea filed by Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of jailed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, against the latter's detention under the National Security Act. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and P B Varale deferred the matter as Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was not available. Earlier, the top court had asked the Centre if there was any possibility for the government to relook at the detention of Wangchuk, considering his health condition. Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj had submitted that Wangchuk was responsible for violence in Leh on September 24 last year, in which four people died, and 161 were injured. The Centre and the Ladakh administration had told the apex court that Wangchuk was detained for instigating people in a border area where regional sensitivity was involved. Justifying Wangchuk's detention, Mehta had told the bench that all procedural safeguards were followed while ordering his detention under

Article 370 became tool for decades-long discrimination: Ladakh LG

Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta alleged on Saturday that Article 370 of the Constitution had turned into a tool for indulging in discrimination due to its misuse by the previous Jammu and Kashmir governments. Addressing a gathering on the outskirts of Jammu, Gupta also claimed that this misuse of the constitutional provision had led to the political, constitutional and emotional isolation of the Jammu and Ladakh regions from the rest of the country. He said Article 370, which was introduced as a temporary measure on October 17, 1949, was "exploited" instead of being used for the welfare of people. "Article 370 was misused by the previous Jammu and Kashmir governments. The provision, introduced as a temporary one, was exploited to politically, constitutionally and emotionally isolate the Jammu and Ladakh regions," the LG said, addressing the Shaheedi Diwas Smaran Samaroh and Kisan Health Mela. "Instead of serving the people, it became a tool for power, discrimination and .

Heavy snowfall in Leh halts flights as airlines suspend ops temporarily

According to the IMD, Leh recorded a minimum Temperature of -9.6 degrees Celsius on Monday with snowfall of 0.6 cm in the last 24 hours

Ladakh in 2025: Unrest, governance concerns and economic setbacks

A year of unrest and uncertainty brought Ladakh into the national spotlight, with rare violent protests in Leh over statehood and constitutional safeguards, the postponement of hill council elections, and tourism losses after the Pahalgam terror attack. As 2025 closes, communities look to 2026 with cautious hope for dialogue, inclusivity, and a revival of economic and cultural life under the leadership of Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta who took over in July, replacing Brigadier B D Mishra (retd). The residents of Ladakh described 2025 as a challenging year for the region, also marked by the detention of renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act, now under review in the Supreme Court. Six years after the abrogation of special status to J&K under Article 370 which led to the creation of separate Union Territory for Ladakh in 2019, the defining political story of 2025 was the intensification of a mass movement jointly led by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the .

Wangchuk's HIAL doing exemplary work, must be given recognition: Parl Panel

The Himalayan Institute of Alternatives (HIAL), founded by Ladakh educator and activist Sonam Wangchuk, is doing "exemplary" work and should be granted recognition by the University Grants Commission, a Parliamentary panel has noted. In its report tabled in Parliament earlier this week, the committee headed by Congress MP Digvijaya Singh expressed its concern over pending recognition of HIAL by UGC. The panel also recommended that the Ministry of Education closely study the HIAL model and consider how it can be replicated elsewhere through Centres of Innovation in Education or other interventions. "During its study visit to Ladakh, the committee was impressed with the academic, research, and entrepreneurship ecosystem at the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), especially its success in implementing experiential education and learning rooted in local socio-cultural and ecological contexts," said the report of the Standing Committee on Education, Women, Youth and ...

Elections, amendments and agitations: The political story of India in 2025

India's political landscape saw many changes in 2025, with big election wins, new laws, protests and major diplomatic moves shaping the discourse. Here's a look at key events

Ladakh plans grid power supply for Army, ITBP posts in Ladakh's DBO sector

The Ladakh administration is contemplating the electrification of border posts in the Daulat Beg Oldie sector through grid connectivity in the Union Territory, officials said. Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), located along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, houses military outposts and the highest airstrip in the Ladakh region, manned by the Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The Ladakh Power Development Department (LPDD) has presented proposals for the electrification of Army and ITBP border posts in the DBO sector through grid connectivity, officials said. This was revealed during a high-level meeting chaired by Prince Dhawan, Executive Director, Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, to review power sector initiatives in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Dhawan appreciated the initiative, emphasising the strategic importance of providing a reliable and sustainable power supply to remote border areas, and directed concerned officials to expedite necessary approvals and .

Northern army commander witnesses 'AstraShakti' exercise underway in Ladakh

Northern Army Commander, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, on Thursday witnessed 'Exercise AstraShakti' in the icy heights of the high-altitude areas of the Union Territory of Ladakh, officials said. The AstraShakti exercise is currently underway as a validation of long-range precision artillery firepower, swarm drones, counter-unmanned aerial surveillance systems, commando operations, and synergy with the ITBP in the icy expanse and high-altitude areas of Ladakh. "Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, Army Commander Northern Command, witnessed Exercise AstraShakti a thunderous validation of long-range precision artillery firepower, swarm drones, counter-UAS systems, commando ops, and synergy with the ITBP in the icy expanse and high-altitude areas of Ladakh, the Northern Command said in a post on X. The theatre-level integrated firing embodied seamless synergy, surveillance fusion, force preservation, and multi-domain dominance, it added. "It symbolised the readiness, innovation, and indomitable

India, China agree to maintain peace, stability along LAC in eastern Ladakh

The Indian and Chinese militaries held a fresh round of high-level military talks focusing on maintaining peace and security along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The Chinese defence ministry stated this on Wednesday. It said the 23rd round of Corps Commander-level talks were held on the Moldo-Chushul border meeting point on the Indian side of the frontier on October 25. "The two sides engaged in active and in-depth communication on the management of the western section of the China-India border," it said in a readout. There is no official word from Indian officials on the meeting. The Chinese defence ministry said the two sides decided to maintain communication and dialogue as decided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. "They agreed to continue communication and dialogue through military and diplomatic channels under the guidance of the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and jointly safeguard peace a

SC seeks Centre, Ladakh's response on plea challenging Wangchuk's detention

The Supreme Court on Wednesday took on record the amended plea of Sonam Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali J Angmo challenging the climate activist's detention and sought the response of the Centre and Union Territory of Ladakh in ten days. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the UT of Ladakh, to file the response to the amended plea and posted the matter for hearing on November 24. The bench also allowed senior advocate Kapil Sibal to file rejoinder, if any. On October 15, the top court deferred the hearing on the plea of Angmo after she sought to file an amended petition with additional grounds for challenging the detention of Wangchuk, currently lodged in Central jail at Jodhpur of Rajasthan. It had noted that an affidavit filed by the jailor of Jodhpur jail stated that Wangchuk's elder brother and lawyer met the detenue. Earlier, Sibal had requested the court that Wangchuk be permitted to exchange some note

Ladakh withdraws restrictions on public gatherings after nearly 3 weeks

Authorities in Ladakh have withdrawn the restrictions imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNNS), which bans assembly of five or more persons, officials said on Tuesday. The deputy commissioners of Leh and Kargil districts on Monday separately ordered the lifting of the restrictions, which were imposed to prevent any breach of peace and disturbance to public tranquillity in the region, the officials said. The restrictions were initially imposed across the Union territory on September 24 following widespread violence in Leh, which left four persons dead and scores injured. They were withdrawn after nearly three weeks. However, the curbs were reimposed on October 17, coinciding with a call for protests by the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), the two bodies spearheading the agitation in support of their demand for statehood and safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Both the groups resumed talks with the Centre o

Meeting between MHA, Ladakh leaders begins weeks after deadly protests

In the first sign of a thaw, leaders of Ladakh, where four people died in police firing during the recent pro-statehood protests, met with Home Ministry representatives here on Wednesday for sub-committee level talks. During the meeting, the Ladakh representatives demanded an immediate release of all arrested leaders, including climate activist Sonam Wangchuck, the widely recognised face of the agitation. The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) said that the next of kin of those killed should be given adequate compensation. Talks between the Centre, LAB and KDA had broken down after four protesters were killed and several were injured during widespread violence in Leh on September 24. Both the Ladakh organisations stayed away from the dialogue with the high-powered committee of the MHA slated for October 6. The invitation for the talks had been made by the Centre on September 20. The last round of talks between the two sides was held in May. Lok Sabha MP f

Ladakh leaders to meet MHA panel in Delhi over statehood on Oct 22

Ladakh representatives will hold talks with the sub-committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Delhi on October 22, said Leh Apex Body co-chairman Chering Dorje Lakruk on Sunday. Three representatives each of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), along with Ladakh MP Mohd Haneefa Jan, will take part in the talks with a focus on their primary demand of statehood and safeguards for the Union Territory under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, Lakruk told reporters here. "We were informed by the Home Ministry that a meeting of the sub-committee is scheduled for October 22, and both LAB and KDA are invited to it. We welcome the decision of the government of India to invite us and look forward to the positive outcome of the dialogue," he said. Widespread violent protests occurred in Leh on September 24 during a shutdown called by LAB to advance talks with the Centre on the demands for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh. Four people were kil

Leh Apex Body seeks inclusion of Ladakh representative in judicial probe

Leh Apex Body (LAB) on Saturday welcomed the centre's decision to conduct a judicial probe into the September 14 violence but demanded inclusion of a representative from Ladakh in the team. The group criticized the Lt Governor-led administration for foiling the silent march earlier during the day and said such actions can never prove fruitful or convince us to resume talks with the centre. The Centre on Friday moved to address a key demand of the protesting Ladakh groups by announcing a judicial inquiry headed by a retired Supreme Court judge into the violent clashes of September 24 in Leh, which claimed the lives of four people, including a 1999 Kargil war veteran. According to a notification issued by the Union Home Ministry, the judicial probe, to be headed by Justice B S Chauhan, a former judge of the Supreme Court, is mandated to investigate the circumstances leading to the serious law and order situation, the police action and the resultant unfortunate deaths of four people ..

Judicial inquiry into Leh violence fulfils Ladakh's demand: Chief secretary

Ladakh Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal on Friday said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) ordering a judicial inquiry into the September 24 violence in Leh fulfils the strong demand of the people of the Union territory seeking a fair and transparent probe into the incident. Addressing a key demand of the protesting Ladakh groups, the MHA on Friday announced a judicial inquiry headed by a retired Supreme Court judge into last month's violent clashes in Leh. The clashes between security forces and protesters who were demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for the Union territory left four civilians dead and 90 injured, escalating a months-long agitation. This decision reflects the government's commitment to justice and transparency," he said. Providing an update on the injured, Kotwal said five individuals, including an ex-serviceman, are currently undergoing treatment at the SNM Hospital. Doctors performed life-saving surgeries on 11 injured on the day of the incident. One of