India Police Detain Activist After Climate March

Indian police detained prominent environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk and about 100 supporters on Monday night as they concluded a month-long climate protest march from the Himalayas, Arab News reported today.

The group had trekked nearly 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) to raise awareness about climate change impacts in Ladakh and to demand greater political autonomy for the region.

Their planned peaceful rally on Wednesday, coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, was thwarted when police intercepted them on a major highway leading into the capital. “We are not being allowed to meet our lawyers,” said group spokesman P. Namgial.

Ladakh, a sensitive area bordering China and Pakistan, is experiencing severe climate challenges, including melting glaciers and increased flooding. Wangchuk has advocated for Ladakh’s statehood to empower locals in environmental decision-making. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the detentions, calling them an “unacceptable” violation of protesters’ rights. Activists report heightened harassment since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government took power in 2014.