GITANJALI J. ANGMO, wife of Ladakh-based environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that her husband’s detention under the National Security Act (‘NSA’) is an attempt to stifle dissent and punish a respected citizen who has espoused public causes, sustainable development, and national security.
In her amended petition challenging the grounds of detention of Wangchuk, Angmo alleged that the detention was not driven by genuine concerns of public order or security, but by a “political vendetta” aimed at silencing Wangchuk for raising legitimate democratic demands of statehood for Ladakh and extending the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to the region, including the fulfilment of electoral promises.
The Sixth Schedule provides provisions for the administration of tribal areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
Wangchuk was detained on September 26 following protests in Leh over demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule protection for Ladakh.
A Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria gave a week’s time to the petitioner Angmo to file the amended petition, 10 days to the Central government to file its response to the amended petition, and a week’s time to the petitioner Angmo to file a rejoinder to the Centre’s reply. The Bench posted the matter for hearing on November 24.
Earlier, in her petition, Angmo had challenged the detention of Wangchuk. The grounds of detention were furnished to them subsequently. She termed as “wholly preposterous” the allegations that Wangchuk was engaged in activities prejudicial to the security of the State. She has highlighted his support for the Armed Forces in the region.
