Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk alleged that Ladakh authorities placed him under house arrest ahead of the December 4 LAHDC elections. Wangchuk said, "I am under house arrest," while questioning the timing of the winter polls. He and other regional leaders want the elections postponed to ensure fair democratic representation.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has alleged that the Ladakh administration has imposed 60-day movement restriction on him amid the row over December 4 elections to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs). Wangchuk has urged the Ladakh administration to revoke the restriction, questioning its legal basis and alleging that the deployment of armed police personnel outside his residence has effectively confined him to his home. On November 11, Ladakh Police removed Wangchuk from the protest site and escorted him to his residence, advising him to remain indoors. The climate activist, who is part of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), has joined regional leaders in opposing the timing of the elections and demanding greater democratic representation and accountability from the administration. 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... -- Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) November 12, 2026 Why is Sonam Wangchuk Protesting? Issuing Ladakh's 'SOS Appeal' on November 11,Wangchuk, who is the member of the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) said that the leaders are opposing the timing of the scheduled LAHDC elections for December 4, 2026.
He argued that December brings extreme winter conditions, with temperatures dropping several degrees below zero. Many Ladakh residents migrate to warmer regions during winter highlighting that holding elections during this period could prevent a significant section of the population from exercising its voting rights. The groups are demanding that the elections be postponed to either March or April next year. Warning of fresh agitation, the climate activist also demanded the release of the Judicial Inquiry Commission report into the September 24, 2025 violence in Leh. Four people were killed in police firing after a protest demonstration turned violent.
The activist and other regional leaders have questioned why the inquiry report has not been made public even after more than a year. Lastly, Wangchuk has sought constitutional safeguards and complete statehood and has alleged that dialogue with the Centre over this has stalled. He has appealed to the President of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to help defer the LAHDC election. LADAKH'S SOS APPEAL TO THE NATION While the Judicial Inquiry Commission report of September 24th incidents in Leh moves at snail's pace, even after a year of the incidents & the talks on restoration of democracy have broken down, the UT Administration is moving at rocket speed to conduct some kind of 'Council Elections' here, apparently to have people of their choice installed to negotiate on democracy & safeguards here.
December & January are the coldest & snowiest months with temperature dipping below --30 C in many places & close to half the population migrates out of Ladakh for education, vacation, pilgrimage etc. Moreover weather reports show heavy snow in that whole week... people in every region of Ladakh are protesting against the type of Councils & manner of conduct of these elections. In this video the leadership of Leh & Kargil including the Member of Parliament have come together to appeal to the honorable President @rashtrapatibhvn , PM @narendramodi, HM @AmitShah & the LOP @RahulGandhi & fellow citizens of #India to please intervene before we are forced to start peaceful but intense agitations to demonstrate our pain. -- Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66)
November 11, 2026 Meanwhile, Ladakh Police has defended its preventive action against Wangchuk and said it was in compliance with prohibitory orders issued by the Chief Electoral Officer, UT Ladakh, and the District Magistrate, Leh, regulating public rallies, protests and other public gatherings within the limits of Leh Municipality amid the ongoing election exercise.