Srinagar: Days after Leh Apex Body member and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk alleged that liquor shops and bars are being opened in every nook and corner of Ladakh, forcing women of the region to protest, the UT administration Wednesday termed his statement as “totally false and misleading” and said only one liquor shop is currently operational in entire Ladakh.In a statement, govt said the excise policy of 2026-27 was notified on June 1. However, upon receiving feedback and suggestions from the people and social organisations, the lieutenant governor rolled back the new policy on Aug 26. The excise policy of 2025-26 was subsequently restored and remains in force, the statement further said.Under the old policy, only two liquor shops were permitted in Leh. While one wine shop became operational after an auction held on Oct 14, no bid was received for the second, the statement mentioned.The statement said 50 liquor retail vends with attached bars and restaurants are currently operational across the UT — 38 in Leh, seven in Nubra, three in Zanskar and two in Changthang. Two beer bars are also operational in Leh. Besides, nine hotels in Leh and one in Nubra hold liquor licences.The licences are issued to applicants in accordance with the “distance criteria” from highways and religious and educational institutions. Hence, Wangchuk’s claim of opening bars “in every street, locality and around school” holds no ground, the statement said.The administration advised Wangchuk to “verify the facts from official sources before feeding completely false and imaginary claims to the national media and the people at large”.
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Wangchuk responded later in the evening, saying the “LG Ladakh’s administration has finally rolled back its infamous liquor policy after repeated protests from civil society and a week-long sit-in by mother’s groups”. Countering govt’s charges against him, he said: “If it was all lies and rumours, why would 100s (sic.) of mothers leave their children and homes and spend six nights in sub-zero temperatures?”Women’s groups in Ladakh have been protesting for several days, demanding that Ladakh be declared a dry UT. On Tuesday, the administration called for wider consultations to find a middle ground.Wangchuk accused the administration of “playing with words between ‘liquor shop’ & ‘bar’”, and using the celebratory environment during the Dalai Lama’s Ladakh visit to “sneak in many alcohol bars, which reached 50 in number (highest in Ladakh’s history)”.