Protests erupt in Ladakh over detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk by Delhi Police
02/10/2024
SRINAGAR, Oct 1: Angered by the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk by Delhi Police, hundreds of people in Leh took to the streets on Tuesday, demanding his immediate release and chanting slogans against the authorities.
Sonam Wangchuk, an engineer and education reformer known for his innovative approaches to sustainable development, was detained along with dozens of supporters at the Singhu border on Monday night. The group was marching towards Delhi as part of the ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra,’ a protest aimed at securing greater autonomy and constitutional rights for Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule.
The march, which began on September 1, was set to culminate at Rajghat on October 2, in commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary. However, Delhi Police intervened, citing prohibitory orders restricting public gatherings until October 6.
In response to the detentions, Leh saw a significant turnout of protesters, including men, women, and students, all united in their call for Wangchuk’s release. Protesters voiced frustration with the government’s handling of the situation and reiterated demands for statehood, a dedicated public service commission, and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil.
Former chief minister J&K Omar Abdullah Monday took a dig at centre over barring climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from raising peaceful voice for his rights and detaining him along with dozens of his associates by Delhi Police, saying “A government that couldn’t stop the Chinese incursion instead stops its own citizens from peacefully entering their national capital city”.
Taking to micro-blogging site X (formerly Twitter) Omar said: “The people of Ladakh were made a number of promises which the Modi government didn’t keep. When their patience ran out they had no option but to walk to Delhi to remind the Union government of its betrayal. Instead of a patient hearing what they got was the might of the government used to detain them before they could enter Delhi. A government that couldn’t stop the Chinese incursion instead stops its own citizens from peacefully entering their national capital city”.
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