Government Cancels SECMOL’s FCRA Licence
The Ministry of Home Affairs has cancelled the FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) registration of SECMOL (Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh), the NGO founded by Sonam Wangchuk. This revocation is effective immediately.
Basis For Action
The cancellation follows alleged violations under multiple sections of the FCRA including irregular fund transfers, misreporting, and foreign contributions deemed against national interest. The Home Ministry invoked Section 14(1) of the Act to rescind the licence.
Connection To Ladakh Protests
The decision comes in the wake of violent protests in Ladakh demanding statehood, in which four people died and many were injured. Authorities have accused Wangchuk of inciting the unrest. SECMOL’s licence cancellation is tied to a broader crackdown, as a CBI probe into SECMOL and the associated Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL) has been initiated.
SECMOL’s Response
Wangchuk has denied wrongdoing, stating that foreign contributions were for “knowledge-sharing, education, climate and migration work.” He asserts all taxes were paid and that the funds were used as per NGO objectives. He has warned the action may be politically motivated.
