“Sonam Wangchuk Encourages Youth, Wife Alleges CRPF Overreaction With Tear Gas”

Wangchuk’s Wife Blames CRPF for Violence, Defends Activist’s Peaceful Protest.

Jailed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, has accused the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) of escalating a peaceful protest in Ladakh by using tear gas, which she says triggered violence.

Wangchuk was arrested on Friday under the National Security Act (NSA) following protests demanding Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule and full statehood. The unrest left four dead and over 90 injured. He has been transferred to Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.

Gitanjali defended her husband, stating his fasts and marches over the past five years have always been “Gandhian and non-violent.” She added, “The youth were protesting peacefully. Had the CRPF not used tear gas, the protest would have remained peaceful. Sonam inspires young people and is respected not only for his scientific work but also for his humanitarian efforts in grassroots education.”

She criticised the curfew imposed in Leh, calling it unnecessary and unfairly targeting peace-loving protesters.