Congress condemns arrest of environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk under NSA

The Congress on Friday strongly condemned the arrest of noted environmentalist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act, accusing the BJP government of attempting to divert attention from its failure to maintain law and order in Ladakh.

“The Indian National Congress condemns the arrest of noted environmentalist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act,” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said in a post on handle X.

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“This has been done to divert attention and responsibility from the BJP’s abysmal failure to maintain law and order and ensure security of life and property in the Union Territory of Ladakh,” he added.

Ramesh accused the BJP of deceiving the people of Ladakh by promising Sixth Schedule status in the 2020 Leh Hill Council Elections and then reneging on that promise. “The crux of the issue is that the BJP has deceived the people of Ladakh for years,” he said.

Ramesh urged the Modi government to engage with the people of Ladakh in sincerity and with alacrity, rather than trying to suppress their concerns through arrests.

“The Modi Government cannot brush these issues away or suppress them by arresting Mr Wangchuk. It needs to engage with the people of Ladakh in sincerity and with alacrity,” he said.

The arrest of Sonam Wangchuk has sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning the government’s motives. The BJP’s handling of Ladakh’s autonomy and security issues has been a contentious topic, with many accusing the party of failing to deliver on its promises.