Sonam Wangchuk said he would challenge the restrictions before the magistrate, High Court and Supreme Court, questioning how authorities could stop someone from joining a peaceful protest without formally placing them under arrest.Sonam Wangchuk alleged that armed personnel were deployed on all sides of his house during the day, restricting his movement. Leh,Nov 13, 2026 10:30 ISTClimate activist Sonam Wangchuk has alleged that he has been placed under house arrest in Ladakh, with around 25 police and paramilitary personnel deployed outside his residence amid restrictions on a planned protest, news agency Press Trust of India reported.Wangchuk, a prominent member of the Leh Apex Body, said he would challenge the restrictions before the appropriate legal forums, including the magistrate, the High Court and the Supreme Court.He questioned how a person could be prevented from joining a peaceful protest without being formally arrested.In a video message shared on X, Facebook and other social media platforms late on Thursday, Wangchuk said several security personnel, vehicles and tents had been stationed outside his residence since Wednesday night.
He alleged that armed personnel were deployed on all sides of his house during the day, restricting his movement.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, 2026Referring to the authorities' reported claim that he had only been "advised to stay at home", Wangchuk questioned the distinction and said the heavy security deployment effectively amounted to house arrest. He said the restrictions were imposed as he and other activists, including leaders of the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, were preparing to hold a sit-in over several demands concerning Ladakh.
These included objections to the timing of the Autonomous Hill Development Council elections, scheduled for December 4.Wangchuk said holding the elections during winter was "unacceptable" as a significant section of Ladakh's population would be away from the region. He also alleged that the Hill Councils had been made ineffective and deprived of meaningful powers.According to PTI, Wangchuk reiterated the demand for the release of the Commission of Inquiry report into the September 24 incident last year, alleging that the matter was being suppressed.
He claimed that protests had been held successfully across Ladakh and would continue until the demands were met.Seeking support, Wangchuk said the people of Ladakh had always stood with India's younger generation and soldiers guarding the country's borders. He urged people across the country to show solidarity with Ladakh's struggle.Ladakh Police defended the preventive action, telling PTI that it complied with prohibitory orders issued by the Chief Electoral Officer of the Union Territory and the Leh District Magistrate.
The orders regulate public rallies, protests and other gatherings within Leh Municipality during the ongoing election exercise. Wangchuk, however, maintained that the restrictions amounted to house arrest and said he would challenge them legally as protests over Ladakh's demands continued.- Ends