Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday said recent talks between Ladakh representatives and the Centre marked a “positive step”, though he cautioned that trust-building in the region remained incomplete amid unresolved cases linked to last year’s protests and action against institutions associated with the movement.
Speaking after the latest round of discussions between representatives of the Leh Apex Body, Kargil Democratic Alliance and a Ministry of Home Affairs sub-committee, Wangchuk said he had noticed a change in atmosphere following Thursday’s meeting but remained cautious about the Centre’s intent.
“This meeting has made some difference... Otherwise, I was very disappointed,” Wangchuk said, referring to his earlier detention and developments in the region over recent months.
He said the latest engagement had brought some relief after growing tensions in Ladakh, where divisions had deepened across communities and regions.
“Last week was very negative. There was conflict everywhere. I thought Ladakh would become another Manipur; it was heading in that direction,” he said.
Wangchuk alleged that despite official references to “meaningful and constructive dialogue”, the situation on the ground had reflected increasing mistrust and polarisation.
“People were getting divided — Leh and Kargil, Buddhists fighting Buddhists, Muslims fighting Muslims. We felt trust-building was not happening,” he said.
The activist said optimism would depend on whether the government followed through with concrete steps in the coming weeks, including addressing pending cases against protesters and restoring institutional access.
He referred to the continued seizure of his mobile phone, confiscated during protests several months ago, saying it symbolised the incomplete nature of his release.
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“My mobile phone was taken when I was jailed. It has been more than two months since I was released, and I still do not have it back,” he said.
“Without it, I cannot book an Ola, an Uber, or even a plane ticket. Digitally, I have become useless in Digital India,” Wangchuk added.
He also raised concerns over the land lease and FCRA licence of the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), saying the institution continued to face restrictions despite no wrongdoing being established.
“The government has left me half free and kept the other half in jail,” he said, referring to the seizure of his digital records and access.
Wangchuk said the “biggest trust deficit” remained the cases registered after the September 24 protests in Ladakh, where several protesters were injured and criminal charges filed.
“So many people were injured, some died... many were charged. Will those cases be withdrawn? Only then will there be trust,” he said.
His remarks come amid renewed dialogue between Ladakh civil society groups and the Centre over demands for statehood, constitutional safeguards for land and jobs, and greater democratic powers after Ladakh became a Union Territory without a legislature in 2019.
In a joint statement after Thursday’s meeting, the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance said there was an “in-principle understanding” with the Centre on restoring democracy in Ladakh and exploring constitutional safeguards similar to those available under Article 371 in states such as Nagaland, Sikkim and Mizoram.
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