Sonam Wangchuk released, detained again for persisting with march; indefinite fast continues

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and 150 Ladakhis were again detained after they were released by the Delhi Police late Tuesday night (October 1), even as their indefinite fast continues at the police stations, officials said on Wednesday (October 2).

Wangchuk and other detained Ladakhis were allowed to go on Tuesday night, but they were adamant to march towards the central part of Delhi. Therefore, they were detained again, a senior police officer told PTI.

Wangchuk has been kept at the Bawana police station along with a few others while others have been kept at Narela Industrial Area, Alipur, and Kanjhawala police stations, he added.

Wangchuk and those accompanying him were detained by the Delhi Police at the Singhu border on Monday night (September 30) for violating prohibitory orders when they tried to enter the national capital to press for their demands.

He was leading the 'Delhi Chalo Padyatra', which began from Leh a month ago.

Also Read: Watch: Sonam Wangchuk's detention gets strong response from Congress, AAP

It was organised by the Leh Apex Body, which along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance, has been spearheading an agitation over the last four years to demand statehood for Ladakh, its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and others.

A representative of the protesting group on Tuesday said that those who have been detained went on an indefinite fast.

He said if the Delhi Police does not allow them to go to the Gandhi Smriti on Wednesday, they will continue to sit at the police stations even after they are released.

Also Read: Pleas filed in Delhi HC against Sonam Wangchuk's detention; hearing on Oct 3

Ladakh comes to a standstill

Ladakh came to a standstill on Wednesday (October 2) with a complete bandh being observed in protest against the detention of Sonam Wangchuk and 150 other Ladakhis who were on a peaceful march towards Delhi. Most of the shops and business establishments remained closed, according to a report by The Tribune. The bandh call was given by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).

The detention of peaceful protesters by the Delhi Police has triggered widespread anger across the region. Several local leaders have condemned the police action. Both the districts of Leh and Kargil were witness to protest demonstrations.

A large number of people gathered in the NDS Stadium in Leh to protest against the police action in Delhi and in support of Wangchuk and his group of marchers.

Also Read: Detention of Ladakhis: Akhilesh cautions Centre against 'political deafness'

‘Ram Rahim granted parole, but we are denied entry into Delhi’

Sajjad Kargili, a social activist from Kargil who has also been detained by the police in Delhi, said in a statement, “We have now decided to go on a hunger strike. I urge the government not to push the people of Ladakh to the wall. We are frontline warriors, not traitors. We are simply demanding the rights you have taken from us – our statehood, safeguards, and employment. Now, even our right to protest is being stripped away. It is deeply unfortunate that while people like Ram Rahim are granted parole, the peaceful people of Ladakh are denied entry into Delhi.”

The KDA condemned the detention of the Ladakhis in a statement, “This detention is a blatant violation of our fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly. It is an affront not only to democratic principles but also to the dignity of the people of Ladakh. The actions of the ruling dispensation and the Delhi Police clearly reflect their disregard for the voices of our community and we must stand united in protest against such inhumane behaviour.”

(With agency inputs)