Sonam Wangchuk released from Jodhpur jail

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was released from Jodhpur central jail on Saturday after the Union government decided to revoke his detention with immediate effect. Earlier, the Government has decided to revoke the detention of activist Sonam Wangchuk with immediate effect by exercising the powers available under the National Security Act(NSA).He was detained and later sent to Rajasthan's Jodhpur jail in connection with the violence that took place in Leh last September, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) said on Saturday. “The Government remains committed to fostering an environment of peace, stability, and mutual trust in Ladakh so as to facilitate constructive and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders. In furtherance of this objective, and after due consideration, the Government has decided to revoke the detention of Shri Sonam Wangchuk with immediate effect by exercising the powers available under the National Security Act,” the MHA said in its statement.
The statement further said that the government has engaging with stakeholders and community leaders in Ladakh to address the ‘aspirations and concerns of the people of the region. “However, the prevailing atmosphere of bandhs and protests has been detrimental to the peace-loving character of the society and has adversely affected various sections of the community, including students, job aspirants, businesses, tour operators and tourists and overall economy,” it said.
His wife Gitanjali J Angmo had filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging Wangchuk's detention under NSA, terming Wangchuk's detention illegal and an arbitrary exercise violating his fundamental rights. She also maintained that Wangchuk condemned the violence on his social media handles.Wangchuck's detention came two days after violent protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh left four people dead and 90 injured in the Union territory. The government had accused him of inciting the violence.