Day after Leh violence, Wangchuk-led NGO loses FCRA licence over violations

A day after four persons were killed and nearly 100 injured in Leh during violent protests over the demand for statehood and the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday cancelled the FCRA certificate of registration of the Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), an NGO run by Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk, for a series of violations while receiving funds for the organisation.

According to an order of the Foreigners Division of the MHA, accessed by The Tribune, the Wangchuk-led SECMOL was granted registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act in 2010 to accept foreign contributions for undertaking a cultural and educational programme.

The ministry found irregularities following which it served a show-cause notice in August asking why its FCRA registration certificate should not be cancelled. As per the notice, during 2021-22, Wangchuk deposited Rs 3.5 lakh into the FCRA account.

However, SECMOL claimed to have actually deposited Rs 3,35,000 in the account. It described the amount as sale proceeds from an old bus procured in 2015 using FCRA funds.

The second violation pertained to receiving local funds of Rs 54,600 in the FCRA account. The NGO said it was inadvertently transferred into the FCRA account instead of the local account.

The third violation was about receiving donations for a study on the “sovereignty of the country”. The fund had been spent in line with the objectives of foreign donors.

“Foreign contribution cannot be accepted for a study on the sovereignty of the nation. This act of the association is against the national interests,” an excerpt from the order read. The fourth instance was about returning a foreign donation of Rs 19,600. SECMOL had received an amount of Rs 19,600 as foreign donation but it returned the money to the donor’s account owing to the Covid lockdown in June 2021.

“…There is no provision in the Act for returning foreign contribution to its donor. The act of the association to return foreign contribution to the donor is likely to be used for undesirable purposes for personal gain....,” the order read. “…There is no provision in the Act for returning foreign contribution to its donor. The act of the association to return foreign contribution to the donor is likely to be used for undesirable purposes for personal gain....,” the order read.

Meanwhile, curfew-like restrictions remained in place in Leh on Thursday, with the police launching a crackdown to arrest those involved in the violent protests.

The Home Ministry had stated that the mob violence was guided by “provocative statements” of Wangchuk.

Officials in Leh said the situation remained peaceful and no untoward incident was reported. They said nearly 50 people had been detained in connection with the violence. “We will not spare those involved in the arson,” a top police official said.

Sources said among those booked included a Congress councillor, who, the BJP had claimed, was responsible for Wednesday’s violence.

In Leh, as tension prevailed, markets remained shut on Thursday. A hotelier said guests also remained inside as the restrictions were in place.

Chering Dorjey Lakrook, president of the Ladakh Buddhist Association and co-convener of the Leh Apex Body, said the bodies of the victims were handed over to their families on Thursday.

After meeting the injured in Leh, Lakrook said the nature of the bullet injuries suggested that “the security forces have fired indiscriminately”.

He said Ladakh leaders would have a “preparatory meeting” with MHA officials on September 27, ahead of next month’s meeting of the high-powered committee.

Ladakh L-G Kavinder Gupta on Thursday chaired a high-level security review meeting to assess the “emerging situation” across Ladakh, “emphasising the need for heightened vigilance, seamless inter-agency coordination and proactive measures to safeguard peace, security and public order across the UT”.

On Thursday, the neighbouring Kargil district observed a shutdown on a call given by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), a body also spearheading the movement for statehood and the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh.

Noting that violence had no place in Ladakh, KDA leader Sajad Kargili urged the government to resume dialogue and address people’s aspirations to restore peace in Ladakh.

Eyeing scapegoat, jailing me may cause more harm: Activist

They are trying to find a scapegoat. I see they are building up a case to bring me under the Public Safety Act and throw me in jail for two years. I am ready for that, but Sonam Wangchuk in jail may cause them more problems than a free Wangchuk. — Sonam Wangchuk