• Source:JND

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday cancelled the license of activist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk, which was granted under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act for his NGO, Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL).

Earlier on Wednesday, hours after the violent protest, the MHA accused Wangchuk of making a provocative mention of Arab Spring-style and Nepal Gen Z protests despite the talks between the Centre and High Powered Committee (HPC) yielding fruitful results.

The MHA said, "The process of dialogue through this mechanism has yielded phenomenal results by increasing reservations for Ladakh scheduled tribe from 45% to 84%, providing 1/3 women reservations in the councils and declaring Bhoti and Purgi as official languages. With this process for recruitment of 1800 posts was also commenced."

It added, "The demands on which Mr Wangchuk was on hunger strike are integral part of the discussion in HPC. In spite of many leaders urging to call off the hunger strike he continued with the hunger strike and misleading the people through provocative mention of Arab Spring-style protest and references to Gen Z protests in Nepal."

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CBI probe and Wangchuk's allegations

Reagarding the FCRA violations, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had began an investigation a few days ago, but no FIR was registered. 

Wangchuk told news agency PTI that a CBI team came with "an order" about 10 days ago, saying that they are acting on a complaint from the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding alleged Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) violations in the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL).

He said a CBI team visited HIAL and the Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) last week, seeking details of foreign funds received by them between 2022 and 2024.

Wangchuk also alleged that the CBI demanded accounts and documents for the period which was not mandated period of 2022-24.

ALSO READ: Ladakh Stir: CBI Begins Probe Into Alleged FCRA Violation By Activist Sonam Wangchuk, Day After Violent Protest

Leh protestors turned violent

The violence started on September 24 at around 11.30 am when a mob left the venue of the hunger strike and attacked the BJP office and the Government office of the CEC Leh.

They also set these offices on fire, attacked the security personnel, and torched a police vehicle. At least 30 police/CRPF personnel were injured, while four protestors were killed.