Srinagar, Sept 25, KDC: The Union Home Ministry on Thursday cancelled the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) licence of Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), an organisation founded by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, citing financial discrepancies and terming a foreign fund transfer from Sweden “against national interest.”
The move came a day after violent clashes between protesters demanding statehood for Ladakh and security forces in Leh left four people dead and more than 80 injured. The unrest, which followed a shutdown call by the Leh Apex Body (LAB), also forced the District Magistrate to order the closure of all government and private schools, colleges, coaching centres, and Anganwadi centres in Leh district for two days beginning September 26.
On Thursday, an uneasy calm prevailed in Leh under strict curfew and prohibitory orders, with police and paramilitary forces patrolling sensitive areas. Officials said at least 50 people had been detained over Wednesday’s arson and violence, which saw mobs torching vehicles, ransacking the Hill Council headquarters, and setting the BJP office on fire.
The administration said the situation was “under control,” though restrictions on gatherings were extended to other towns, including Kargil. Kargil District Magistrate issued prohibitory orders under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), banning processions and public statements likely to disturb peace.
Climate activist Wangchuk, who has been leading a peaceful agitation for Ladakh’s statehood and constitutional safeguards, denounced the violence and appealed to youth to “stop the unrest forthwith.” He, however, alleged that the Centre was scapegoating him, warning that authorities were “building a case” to jail him under the Public Safety Act.
The Union Home Ministry, in contrast, blamed Wangchuk’s “provocative statements” for inciting mobs and said foreign involvement was being probed after three Nepalese nationals were found among the injured. It also reiterated that the Centre remained committed to providing “adequate constitutional safeguards” to Ladakh.
Political reactions poured in after the violence. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah accused the BJP-led administration in Ladakh of failing to maintain peace and “blaming others for its own failures.” PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the unrest was a “natural outburst” of unfulfilled promises, while CPI(M) condemned what it called “brutal repression” by security forces. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav blamed the BJP for “breach of promise” on statehood, and veteran Congress leader Karan Singh called the demand for inclusion in the Sixth Schedule an “eminently reasonable solution.”
Meanwhile, the Home Ministry’s order cancelling SECMOL’s licence invoked Section 14 of the FCRA, pointing to multiple violations, including alleged undisclosed cash deposits, improper reporting of donations, and acceptance of foreign funds for programmes linked to “sovereignty,” which it said ran against national interest.
Alongside SECMOL, another Wangchuk-founded institution—the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL)—is also facing a CBI inquiry over alleged FCRA violations. Wangchuk has denied wrongdoing, insisting his institutions focus on education and do not seek foreign funds.
The agitation led by LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) for statehood and constitutional protections has been ongoing for four years, with the next round of talks between Ladakhi groups and the Centre scheduled for October 6. (KDC)
