NEW DELHI: Centre on Saturday revoked the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk with immediate effect by exercising powers under the National Security Act, the ministry of home affairs said.Earlier this week, the Supreme Court of India had adjourned the hearing on a petition challenging Wangchuk’s detention to March 17.Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act after the Centre alleged that he had incited unrest in the sensitive border region of Ladakh.His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, had approached the Supreme Court challenging the detention. The court first took up the petition on October 6 last year and issued a notice to the authorities.During the proceedings, government authorities told the court that Wangchuk’s remarks had encouraged young people to organise protests similar to movements seen in Nepal and Bangladesh, and had even referenced an uprising similar to the Arab Spring.The government argued that such statements could trigger instability in a strategically sensitive region. Officials also linked Wangchuk to violence in Leh on September 24 last year that left four people dead and more than 160 injured.This is a developing story.
