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Sonam Wangchuk detained under NSA, shifted to Jodhpur: Ladakh administration

**Sonam Wangchuk Detained Under NSA, Shifted to Jodhpur: Ladakh Administration**

*By Snehil Singh | Sep 27, 2025, 10:14 AM*

The Ladakh administration has detained climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA) and shifted him to Jodhpur. This decision followed his alleged provocative speeches linked to recent violence in Leh, which left four people dead and many injured. Authorities stated that Wangchuk’s actions were prejudicial to state security and public order.

### Protest Escalation Sparks Unrest

The unrest erupted on the 15th day of Wangchuk’s hunger strike, which was aimed at demanding early talks between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ladakh representatives. The administration claims that his speeches incited violent protests on September 24, including attacks on police personnel.

Despite the government’s claims of ongoing dialogues with the Apex Body Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, Wangchuk reportedly continued his fast. According to the MHA, his actions contributed to escalating tensions in the region.

### Administrative Actions Taken

Following Wangchuk’s arrest, the Ministry of Home Affairs canceled the registration of his non-profit organization, the Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh, under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010. Additionally, the government suspended internet services in Leh to curb the spread of misinformation and maintain public order.

### Political Backlash and Current Situation

The detention has drawn criticism from several political leaders. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the arrest as “unfortunate” and criticized the central government’s handling of the situation.

Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir also condemned the arrest, emphasizing that Wangchuk never encouraged violence and accusing the BJP government of failing to properly address Ladakh’s issues.

Sonam Wangchuk himself stated he would be “happy to be arrested anytime for this cause,” noting that his imprisonment would highlight important concerns about governance in India.

The situation in Leh and Kargil remains tense, with a curfew imposed in Leh town and restrictions on large gatherings in Kargil to prevent further unrest.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/sonam-wangchuk-detained-under-nsa-shifted-to-jodhpur-ladakh-administration/story

APU leads ASEAN-record Great Malaysia AI Hackathon 2025

**Hackathon Showcased Malaysia’s Rising AI Talent for the Digital Economy**

The Great Malaysia AI Hackathon 2025, hosted by the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) in collaboration with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Amazon Web Services (AWS), successfully highlighted Malaysia’s growing strength in cultivating AI talent for the digital economy. Officially recognised by ASEAN Records as the largest on-site AI hackathon jointly organised by academia and industry in the region, the event took place on 20 September 2025 at APU’s Technology Park Malaysia campus.

The hackathon attracted a total of 1,741 participants, comprising 1,547 students and 194 industry professionals, representing over 50 institutions. Notably, Malaysian students based at Durham and Cambridge Universities also took part, showcasing the broad reach and impact of the event.

With 20 industry mentors providing guidance and a prize pool of US$26,000 (RM110,000), the hackathon not only set a new record but also underscored Malaysia’s ambition to become a key player in the digital economy through AI innovation.

**Minister Launches Event Emphasising AI’s Importance**

The event was officially launched by Minister of Digital, Gobind Singh Deo, who highlighted the transformative role of AI in society and industry. “AI is already transforming the way we live and work. It starts with data, which must be digitised, stored and shared effectively—supported by computing power to create meaningful solutions,” he said.

He congratulated APU and its partners for their efforts and added, “With our infrastructure, ecosystem, and your creativity, Malaysia can become not just a digital nation, but an AI nation by 2030.”

**APU CEO Highlights Collaborative Effort and Global Leadership**

Datuk Parmjit Singh, CEO of APU, emphasised the collaboration behind the event’s success. “This hackathon reflects the synergy between AWS, APU, and MDEC. The overwhelming response shows the hunger for innovation,” he stated.

He also highlighted APU’s global standing: “With over 16,000 students from 130 countries, we continue to lead in digital education, being among the first in the region to offer a degree in Cloud Engineering.”

“This pioneering spirit, together with our partnership with AWS, reflects our shared vision of empowering the next generation of cloud-ready and AI-focused talent,” Datuk Parmjit added.

**AWS Applauds Talent and Increases Sandbox Credits**

Peter Murray, Head of Asia Pacific and Japan Go-to-Market at AWS, praised the participants as “the future tech leaders of Malaysia, driving AI forward.” During the event, he announced an increase in AWS sandbox credits from US$50 (RM210) to US$100 (RM420), encouraging participants to “think big, build bold, and push ideas further.”

Participants also had access to AWS services such as Amazon Bedrock and Amazon Q, enabling them to leverage cutting-edge AI and cloud technologies throughout the hackathon.

**Supported by Industry and Tech Partners**

The hackathon was supported by MDEC’s Premier Digital Tech Institutions initiative and brought together industry mentors, technology partners, and sponsors including AxrailAI, Crayon, eCloudValley, and GitLab.

The event featured insightful Tech Talks, networking opportunities, and cross-sector collaboration, fostering an environment of innovation and knowledge sharing.

**Malaysia’s Ambition as an AI Powerhouse**

The Great Malaysia AI Hackathon 2025 reinforced Malaysia’s position as a digital frontrunner in the ASEAN region. Setting a benchmark for hackathons, the event showcased the nation’s commitment to becoming an AI powerhouse by 2030.

For APU, AWS, and MDEC, this milestone event marks a significant step in shaping the future of technology in Southeast Asia and nurturing the next generation of AI and cloud computing talent.
https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/digital-economy/apu-leads-asean-record-great-malaysia-ai-hackathon-2025

Flood-like situation after heavy rains in three Marathwada districts

“It was like a cloud burst in some of these areas,” a revenue official said. The two dams were almost full, and water discharge was underway from them due to continuous inflow, he added.

Javlala and Ramoda areas in the catchment of the Majalgaon dam received 160 mm and 120 mm of rainfall, respectively, since Monday night, the official reported. Similarly, the areas of Gangapur (46 mm), Paithan (92 mm), and Bhendala (52 mm) in the catchment area of the Jayakwadi dam also recorded rainfall.

As a result, water discharge from the Jayakwadi and Majalgaon dams into the Godavari river reached 1.03 lakh cusec (cubic feet per second) and 1.15 lakh cusec, respectively, on Tuesday morning.

Moreover, excess rainfall was recorded in Ghansawangi and Ambad talukas of Jalna, as well as Gevrai taluka in Beed. This led to swelling of the Godavari river and caused a flood-like situation in several villages across Chhatrapati Sambajinagar, Jalna, and Beed districts.

Heavy Rains in Solapur, Marathwada: CM Asks Water Resources Dept to Coordinate with Collectors

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday directed the local administration to coordinate closely with the State Water Resources Department to take necessary measures in view of the heavy rainfall in Solapur district and Marathwada.

Many talukas of Solapur district and surrounding areas, along with Dharashiv, Beed, and Jalna in Marathwada, are currently experiencing heavy rainfall, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office.

“The CM is keeping an eye on the situation and is in constant contact with the local administration. Additionally, he has instructed the Water Resources Department to monitor the situation carefully, take necessary precautions, and maintain ongoing coordination with district collectors,” the statement added.

Fadnavis also emphasized the importance of maintaining constant coordination with officers of the Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation and the Godavari Marathwada Irrigation Development Corporation to effectively manage the situation.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/maharashtra-flood-like-situation-after-heavy-rains-in-three-marathwada-districts-23595374