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Sonam Wangchuk faces restrictions on movement in Leh amid opposition to polls

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The Ladakh administration restricted climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from leading or participating in unauthorized gatherings for 60 days under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. This enforcement follows planned demonstrations that authorities claim could obstruct November and December municipal, panchayat, and hill council elections. Wangchuk, along with regional leaders, has made an urgent appeal directly to top national leadership to defer voting until May or June. They emphasize that freezing winter conditions and student migration will leave regions like Leh and Kargil largely empty during balloting.

Key points

  • Authorities imposed movement curbs to prevent planned hunger strikes and demonstrations f…: Authorities imposed movement curbs to prevent planned hunger strikes and demonstrations from disrupting the scheduled electoral process.
  • Regional leaders appealed to the President and Prime Minister to postpone the elections u…: Regional leaders appealed to the President and Prime Minister to postpone the elections until May or June to safeguard voter participation.
  • Critics argue winter balloting disenfranchises residents because students and large segme…: Critics argue winter balloting disenfranchises residents because students and large segments of the population live outside the territory during the season.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Ladakh administration restricts Sonam Wangchuk’s movement for 60 days, citing public order concerns and the ongoing election process

NEW DELHI: The Ladakh administration has imposed restrictions on climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s movement in Leh for 60 days, citing concerns over public order and the peaceful conduct of the ongoing electoral process.An order issued by the office of the additional district magistrate, Leh, on Wednesday said the restrictions were based on a report submitted by the senior superintendent of police, Leh, on November 11.The police officer had sought preventive measures against Wangchuk, alleging that his activities and previous conduct, including attempts to "mobilise and instigate" the public, had affected public order in the district.The order said there was apprehension that Wangchuk’s future programmes, demonstrations, hunger strikes and public gatherings could again disturb public peace and tranquillity. It also cited the possibility of such activities affecting elections to the Municipal Committee, Panchayats and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh.Invoking Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the administration directed Wangchuk not to engage in activities or organise or…

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