Sonam Wangchuk Says He Fears For His Life On First Anniversary Of Leh Violence: ‘I Can Be Encountered’

News india Sonam Wangchuk Says He Fears For His Life On First Anniversary Of Leh Violence: ‘I Can Be Encountered’

Last Updated:September 25, 2026, 09:46 IST

Speaking about the threats he said he had received, Wangchuk said he was willing to face the consequences if his death brought greater attention to the issue.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation over the deaths during last year’s violence in Leh, while claiming that he himself could face an “encounter" for continuing to speak against the government.

Wangchuk was addressing a gathering held a year after the September 24 violence that erupted during protests in Ladakh over demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards. Four people were killed in the violence.

Speaking about the threats he said he had received, Wangchuk said he was willing to face the consequences if his death brought greater attention to the issue.

“They have put me in jail. Now there is even a possibility that I could be encountered somewhere. People tell me, ‘You will be encountered’. If that happens, let it happen — so that the country wakes up," the activist said.

Wangchuk Seeks Release Of Judicial Inquiry Report

Wangchuk also sought the release of the judicial inquiry report into the September 24, 2025 incident. The Ministry of Home Affairs had appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice B S Chauhan to head the inquiry into the circumstances preceding the law-and-order situation, the police action and the deaths.

He said that if the report was not made public, an independent “people’s tribunal" would be set up to examine the police firing.

Wangchuk Demands Amit Shah’s Resignation

Turning his criticism towards Shah, Wangchuk said responsibility for the deaths during the agitation must be fixed at the political level.

“Today, from Ladakh, I say — Amit Shah should resign. He has to take responsibility for what happened in Ladakh," he said.

‘AK-47 Fired On Youth During Protests’

Wangchuk alleged that security personnel opened fire with automatic weapons, including AK-47s, on local youth and said those who were subsequently killed were labelled “anti-national".

Recalling the deaths during the protests, Wangchuk said those responsible should be held accountable rather than the victims being portrayed as anti-national.

“A year ago, when the youth of Ladakh were trapped in such a situation, their lives were taken, and they were subsequently branded as anti-national. Today, I say that those responsible must take responsibility," he said.

Wangchuk connected the violence with Ladakh’s broader demands for constitutional safeguards, alleging that assurances given to the people had not been honoured. He said the question of justice for Ladakh extended beyond the Union Territory and concerned the country as a whole.

Leh, Ladakh Observes Shutdown

Meanwhile, Leh and other parts of Ladakh observed a shutdown on Wednesday to mark one year since the September 24 violence. Shops and business establishments remained closed in Leh and Kargil, while reduced traffic affected normal activity. Some sections of Ladakh observed the occasion as “Martyrs’ Day".

Wangchuk alleged that security measures had also affected participation in Thursday’s commemorative programmes.

“People are afraid because there are barricades everywhere and armed personnel have been deployed in villages and at crossings," he said.

He further alleged that some village representatives and students were being discouraged from attending programmes held in memory of those killed.

With inputs from PTI

About the Author

Prisha Vibhavari

Prisha is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than 10 years of experience in national and international news. She specialises in editorial leadership, sharp news judgment, and high-impact st...Read More

Read More