Guwahati: Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday claimed that Ladakh Police had placed him under house arrest ahead of planned protests against the upcoming local council elections, alleging that authorities were restricting his movement without providing a clear explanation.

Wangchuk said the restrictions appeared to be aimed at preventing him from raising questions about the delay in releasing the judicial inquiry commission’s report into the deaths during the September 2025 protests in Leh and the conduct of the upcoming council elections.

In a statement, Wangchuk questioned why the inquiry report had not yet been made public and accused the authorities of pushing through what he described as “phoney” council polls at an unusually rapid pace during the winter.

The police said that Wangchuk had only been “advised to stay” at home in accordance with prohibitory orders issued by the Chief Electoral Officer of Ladakh and the Leh District Magistrate ahead of the elections.

According to the police, the restrictions are intended to ensure public order and prevent disruptions to the electoral process.

In a letter addressed to the police and administrative authorities on Thursday, Wangchuk sought clarification regarding an order issued against him on Wednesday under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

The order, which will remain in force for 60 days, imposes restrictions on his movement and prohibits him from participating in unauthorised rallies, processions and public gatherings that could potentially disturb public peace or ‘obstruct the peaceful conduct of the elections’.

Section 163 of the BNSS empowers executive magistrates to issue written directions to prevent public nuisance or avert an apprehended danger.

Wangchuk questioned the legality and proportionality of the restrictions, arguing that they infringe upon his fundamental right to peaceful protest. He also announced that he would challenge the order in court.

Although the order does not explicitly mention house arrest, detention or confinement, Wangchuk alleged that security personnel who picked him up had verbally instructed him to remain there.

He further claimed that his social media accounts had been subjected to significant restrictions, alleging that the measures were part of a broader attempt to silence his criticism of the administration.

Describing the order as “bad in law, arbitrary, vague and disproportionate”, Wangchuk alleged that the restrictions are politically motivated and intended to curtail his freedom of movement and expression.

Ladakh protests and upcoming elections

Wangchuk was detained in September 2025 under the National Security Act (NSA), two days after violent clashes between protesters and security personnel in Leh over demands for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

Four people were killed in police firing during the unrest, while several others were injured. Wangchuk was subsequently released in March 2026 after the Centre revoked his detention.

The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution provides for autonomous administrative arrangements and safeguards concerning land, resources and governance in designated tribal areas.

Meanwhile, civil society organisations in Ladakh, including the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, have called for postponing the upcoming elections until April or May, citing the region’s harsh winter conditions.

Ladakh Lok Sabha MP Mohmad Haneefa had also urged the Lieutenant Governor on November 7 to defer the elections until the severe winter conditions subside.

Panchayat and municipal elections in Ladakh are scheduled for November 21, while elections to the eight Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils are scheduled for December 4.