Jodhpur/New Delhi: Social and climate activists from Ladakh Sonam Wangchuk He was released from Jodhpur Central Jail on Saturday afternoon after the Center canceled his custody under the National Security Act. His release comes almost six months after he was detained on September 26, 2025, two days after protests broke out in the region while he was on a hunger strike demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. Police opened fire on the protesters, killing four and injuring more than 80. Wangchuk walked out of the jail along with his wife Gitanjali Angmo, who had come to receive him on Saturday morning. Ratanada police station in-charge Dinesh Lakhawat said that the police took the couple in a private vehicle out of the jail premises at around 1.30 pm. A statement from the Union Home Ministry had earlier announced the Centre’s decision to revoke his detention “with immediate effect”, citing its commitment to facilitate constructive and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders “to promote an environment of peace, stability and mutual trust in Ladakh”.

The end of Wangchuk’s imprisonment, six months short of the permissible detention period under the NSA, comes ahead of protests called by the Ladakh apex body on March 16 to press for resumption of talks with the Center on constitutional and other safeguards.