JODHPUR/NEW DELHI: Ladakh social and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was released from Jodhpur Central Jail Saturday afternoon after the Centre revoked his detention under the National Security Act. His release comes almost six months after he was detained on Sept 26, 2025, two days after protests had broken out in the region while he was on a hunger strike seeking statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. Police had opened fire on protesters, killing four people and injuring over 80. Wangchuk left prison in the company of his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, who had arrived Saturday morning to receive him. Ratanada SHO Dinesh Lakhawat said police escorted the couple, who were in a private vehicle, out of the prison premises at about 1.30pm. A Union home ministry statement had earlier announced the Centre’s decision to rescind his detention “with immediate effect”, citing its commitment to “fostering an environment of peace, stability and mutual trust in Ladakh so as to facilitate constructive and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders”.
The end of Wangchuk’s incarceration six months short of the permissible detention period under NSA comes ahead of a March 16 protest called by Ladakh Apex Body to press for resumption of dialogue with the Centre on constitutional and other safeguards.