The government has cancelled the FCRA registration of Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk’s nonprofit – the Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL). The cancellation was announced on Thursday evening, just a day after violent protests in Ladakh over the demand for statehood.
Officials said the NGO had committed “repeat violations” of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), which controls how organisations can use foreign donations. The Home Ministry also blamed Mr. Wangchuk for making “provocative speeches” that, according to them, encouraged a mob to attack a BJP office and the office of the Ladakh election officer.
The government notice mentioned several alleged financial irregularities. One case involved ₹3.35 lakh deposited into SECMOL’s FCRA account from the sale of an old bus. The NGO argued the bus was bought with foreign funds, so the sale money was put back into the same account. But the ministry said the explanation was “not tenable” and also claimed the money was deposited in cash, which is not allowed.
Another issue was a ₹4.93 lakh donation from a Swedish donor for youth awareness programmes on climate change, migration, and food security. The government said this funding was “against the national interest.” Smaller sums of ₹19,600 and ₹79,200 were also flagged as wrongly entered in SECMOL’s FCRA accounts.
The cancellation means SECMOL can no longer receive or use foreign contributions.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
You Might Also Like:
Police Personnel Shafaqat Ahmad from Bandipora Dies of Heart Attack at Home
Violence Erupts in Leh as Protesters Clash with Police Amid Statehood Movement in Ladakh
UK, Canada and Australia Recognise Palestinian State, Defying Israel and US to Revive
Oxford Presentation School Anantnag Hosts IIMUN 2025 in South Kashmir, Fostering Leadership and Diplomacy