Ladakh LG cautions Sonam Wangchuk over 'misleading aarratives'; Activist admits Manipur comparison was an error

Days after agitating Ladakhi groups and officials of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reached an in-principle agreement on restoring democratic governance in the mountainous Union Territory, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday cautioned climate activist and Leh Apex Body (LAB) member Sonam Wangchuk against vitiating public discourse by "weaving" false narratives.

In a post on social media, the Lieutenant Governor shared photographs of his meeting with Wangchuk and his wife, Gitanjali Angmo.

The LG said he had advised Wangchuk to refrain from promoting misleading and provocative narratives that could adversely affect public discourse in Ladakh.

He further stated that Wangchuk acknowledged that comparing the situation in Ladakh with that of Manipur was an error of judgement.

"Had a candid exchange with Shri Sonam Wangchuk and Smt. Gitanjali Angmo in the backdrop of the constructive dialogue in the Union Home Ministry. We agreed that an atmosphere of positivity, both in terms of development initiatives and political dialogue, needs to be maintained," the LG posted on his X handle.

"I cautioned Shri Wangchuk against weaving a misleading and provocative narrative that vitiates public discourse," he added.

The LG further wrote: "Democratic expression must not be taken as a licence for fabricating falsehoods and rabble-rousing. He accepted that comparing the situation in Ladakh with Manipur was an error of judgment. He also stated that he was unsure about the origins of the Cockroach Party and would study the motivations of its founders and revisit his stand, if necessary."

Highlighting concerns over the impact of continued protests, the LG said: "I also pointed out that repeated rallies and demonstrations, despite positive developments initiated by the Centre, could adversely affect economic activity in the tourism sector, which remains the backbone of Ladakh's economy."

He added that Wangchuk appreciated several development initiatives undertaken recently, including the Him Sarovar Project, restoration of the Igoo Phey Canal, construction of the Mahe–Topko Canal, and large-scale plantation drives.

Wangchuk Had Compared Ladakh Situation to Manipur

Following a successful round of talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs last week, Sonam Wangchuk had remarked on Saturday that he had feared Ladakh was heading towards "another Manipur" due to increasing divisions and tensions in the region.

Speaking to a news agency, Wangchuk said the recent engagement with the Centre had changed his outlook after a period marked by disappointment and concern.

"Nothing was happening on the ground. People were getting divided — Leh and Kargil, Buddhists fighting Buddhists, Muslims fighting Muslims. We felt trust-building was not taking place, and meaningful dialogue seemed unlikely," he had said.

"Last week was very negative. There was conflict everywhere. I thought Ladakh would become another Manipur; it was heading in that direction," Wangchuk added.

He had also expressed support for the online "cockroach" movement led by the self-styled "Cockroach Janata Party" (CJP), describing himself as an "honorary cockroach." He urged the government to engage with concerns raised by youngsters rather than suppressing their digital expression.

NSA Detention Revoked Earlier This Year

Notably, after Vinai Kumar Saxena assumed office as the fourth Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, the Ministry of Home Affairs revoked the detention of noted activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA) on March 14 this year. Wangchuk had been lodged in Jodhpur Jail since September 26, 2025.

Wangchuk was detained following incidents of violence in Leh town on September 24, 2025. He was formally booked under the provisions of the National Security Act on September 26, 2025, pursuant to an order issued by the District Magistrate, Leh, with the stated objective of maintaining public order.

By the time his detention was revoked, Wangchuk had already served nearly half of the detention period permissible under the Act.