In a sudden but significant development, the Centre on Saturday released activist Sonam Wangchuk from the Jodhpur Central Jail after revoking his detention under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), calling it a “step towards facilitating constructive dialogue with stakeholders in Ladakh”.Wangchuk (59) was detained on September 26, 2025, two days after violent protests erupted during an agitation by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) for statehood to Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Four persons were killed and several others injured, with the Centre accusing Wangchuk of inciting violence by referring to protests in Nepal and Bangladesh.With the revocation of the NSA detention, Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo’s petition in the Supreme Court seeking his release stands infructuous. The activist had already undergone nearly half of the detention period stipulated under the NSA, according to a statement issued by the Centre announcing the decision to revoke his detention with immediate effect by exercising the powers available under the Act.The decision, which the Centre said was to foster an environment of peace and mutual trust in Ladakh to facilitate constructive dialogue with all stakeholders, comes days after the Supreme Court adjourned to March 17 the hearing on a plea filed by the activist’s wife challenging his detention.“The government reiterates its commitment to providing all necessary safeguards for Ladakh. It remains hopeful that the issues concerning the region will be resolved through constructive engagement and dialogue, including through the mechanism of the high-powered committee as well as other appropriate platforms,” the statement said.Sources said the government had been actively engaging with various stakeholders and community leaders in Ladakh with a view to address the aspirations and concerns of the people. However, the prevailing atmosphere of bandhs and protests had been detrimental to the peace-loving character of the society and had adversely affected various sections of the community, including students, job aspirants, businesses, tour operators and tourists and the overall economy, the sources said, indicating this could be one of the key reasons behind the decision to release Wangchuk. The activist has been at the forefront of the agitation seeking UT status for Ladakh with legislative powers.Reacting to the development, KDA leader Sajjad Kargili said, “The revocation of the NSA is a welcome move. However, the struggle for our legitimate rights continues.” He demanded that activists Deldan Namgial and Smanla Dorjey should also be released and “all charges against those detained be dropped unconditionally”.Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said his party had condemned Wangchuk’s arrest on “completely bogus grounds six months ago”. “Now, the Modi government has done a total U-turn. It stands fully exposed. It should apologise to not only Wangchuk and his family, but to the people of Ladakh as well. It should also immediately release all those who were detained for staging peaceful and democratic protests,” he said on X.The recent round of talks between Ladakh bodies and the Ministry of Home Affairs were “wholesome and constructive”, the government had said in February. Reports, however, suggested the meeting was inconclusive after the LAB and the KDA reiterated their demands for statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.The NSA is a preventive detention law that allows the government to detain individuals without formal charges or a trial if they are deemed a threat to national security or public order. The Act has faced criticism from human rights groups and the judiciary for its potential misuse to silence political dissent. Under the NSA, a person can be held for up to 12 months without being charged.Several political and community leaders have had the NSA invoked against them, often in connection with communal violence or protests.BoxKey NSA detentionsAmritpal Singh: Waris Punjab De chief was booked under the NSA in March 2023.Dr Kafeel Khan: Detained under the NSA in 2020 for a speech at Aligarh Muslim University during anti-CAA protests; his detention was later ruled illegal by the Allahabad High Court.Chandra Shekhar Azad ‘Ravan’: The Bhim Army chief and Lok Sabha MP from Nagina was detained under the Act in 2017 following the Saharanpur clashes.Yusuf Malik: A Samajwadi Party leader against whom the NSA was invoked for allegedly threatening a municipal official, a move the Supreme Court later termed an “abuse of the law”.Suresh Rana and Sangeet Singh Som: Two BJP MLAs who were booked under the NSA in 2013 for their alleged roles in fanning communal tension during the Muzaffarnagar riots.Yogesh Verma: A former BSP MLA against whom the NSA was invoked in 2018 in connection with Bharat Bandh protests.Akhil Gogoi: An activist and leader from Assam who was detained under the NSA in 2019 following anti-CAA protests.