A day after announcing an indefinite dharna against the authorities’ decision to hold elections to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) during winter, climate activist and Leh Apex Body (LAB) leader Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday evening claimed that he had been placed under house arrest.
“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 on last year’s killings in Leh being delayed, while a phoney council election is being foisted on people at rocket speed in mid-winter?” Wangchuk said in a video message posted on social media.
“The whole of Ladakh is in protest. My X, Instagram and YouTube reach have been drastically suppressed in the world’s largest democracy. Please help share this message,” he claimed.
Earlier on Wednesday, Wangchuk had called for postponing the elections in Ladakh until April next year.
“While the Judicial Inquiry Commission report on the September 24 incidents in Leh is moving at a snail’s pace, even after a year has passed since the incidents and talks on the 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 and safeguards here,” Wangchuk had posted on his social media account.
“December and January are the coldest and snowiest months, with temperatures dipping below -30°C in many places, while close to half the population migrates out of Ladakh for education, vacation, pilgrimage, etc.,” Wangchuk stated in his post.
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 Wangchuck (@Wangchuck66) November 11, 2026
“Moreover, weather reports show heavy snowfall during that entire week. People in every region of Ladakh are protesting against the type of Councils and the manner in which these elections are being conducted,” he said.
He appealed to the leadership of Leh and Kargil, including the Member of Parliament, to come together and urge the President of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and citizens to intervene and seek postponement of the elections.
Ladakh Bans Rallies, Protests and Hunger Strikes
Meanwhile, the Ladakh administration has imposed restrictions on rallies, protests, hunger strikes and other forms of public demonstrations during the election period.
A day after the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Ladakh on Wednesday imposed a ban on holding protests and dharnas in the Union Territory.
The CEO prohibited political parties, candidates and their supporters from organising dharnas, protests, demonstrations, sit-ins, hunger strikes and rallies within the municipal limits of Leh and Kargil during the Model Code of Conduct period for the upcoming urban local body elections.
An order issued by Chief Electoral Officer Rahul Sharma stated that the restrictions would remain in force throughout the Model Code of Conduct period, which came into effect on October 23 following the notification calling upon electors to elect members of the Municipal Committees of Leh and Kargil.
The order prohibits political parties, candidates, workers, supporters and other persons from organising, holding or participating in collective political activities that could affect the peaceful conduct of elections.
The CEO said such activities could intimidate voters, disturb public order and undermine the atmosphere required for free, fair and peaceful elections.
Political parties, candidates and their agents have also been directed to strictly follow the Model Code of Conduct and ensure that no activity is undertaken that could intimidate, coerce or unduly influence voters.
The District Election Officers (Deputy Commissioners) of Leh and Kargil, along with the respective Superintendents of Police and other concerned authorities, have been directed to ensure strict implementation of the order.
The order warns that violations will be dealt with firmly under the relevant provisions of law and the Model Code of Conduct, including the initiation of appropriate legal proceedings.
The District Election Officers have also been instructed to give wide publicity to the order through print and electronic media and display copies at prominent public places, including Municipal Committee offices and the offices of the Deputy Commissioners.
The order has been issued under Section 282 of the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000, read with the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Committee (Election) Rules, 2003, to ensure free, fair and peaceful municipal elections in Leh and Kargil.