Complete bandh was observed in parts of the Union Territory of Ladakh today in protest against detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and other leaders and activists of the UT accompanying him at Singhu border in New Delhi while he was leading month-long ‘Padyatra’ to the capital from Leh in favour of four-point agenda.
Markets remained closed and traffic was also off the roads at most of the places in Leh district. However, in Kargil district, business establishments were shut while traffic plied normally.
Many organizations came out in support of Sonam Wangchuk and described his detention along with others as “illegal” saying he was leading peaceful `Padyatra’ which was scheduled to conclude at New Delhi on October 2 coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti.
Protest rallies are also planned in some parts of Ladakh tomorrow.A massive protest was organized in Leh by religious organizations and members of the Apex Body against the detention of ‘Pad Yatris’.
Call for shutdown in Leh and Kargil was given by Leh Apex Body, Kargil Democratic Alliance and other religious organizations of Ladakh.
A mammoth public gathering at NDS Ground was addressed by different religious leaders and Apex Body members. They called the detention as unacceptable and raised slogans against the Delhi Police and the Union Government.
Later, a rally was taken out from NDS Ground to the DC office in Leh, where a socio-religious delegation submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Leh, demanding the release of all detainees by this evening. They warned of intensifying agitations in Ladakh if the detainees are not released immediately.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Hill Council Leh, Tashi Gyalson, and BJP Ladakh president Stanzin Phunstog, flanked by party leaders have expressed their solidarity with the `Pad Yatris’ who had been detained at the Delhi border.
Addressing a press conference, Gyalson said that he has already taken up the issue with the Delhi Police.
Wangchuk started the month-long Ladakh to Delhi called ‘Delhi Chalo’ Padyatra on September 1, intended to draw the attention of the Government of India towards Ladakh’s demands, which include Statehood, implementation of the Sixth Schedule, establishment of a Public Service Commission, and the creation of an additional Lok Sabha seat for Ladakh.
The ‘Padyatra’ was organised by Apex Body of People’s Movement for Sixth Schedule for Ladakh with support from Kargil Democratic Alliance.
Meanwhile, Wangchuk and several Ladakhis launched an indefinite fast today after being detained during a march to the national capital.
According to a senior police officer, 150 people from Ladakh along with Wangchuk have been kept in custody at four police stations at the outskirts of Delhi — Bawana, Narela Industrial Area, Alipur and Kanjhawala.
A representative of the protesting group said that those who have been detained went on an indefinite fast at the police stations.
Wangchuk and those accompanying him were detained by Delhi Police at the Singhu border on Monday night for violating prohibitory orders when they tried to enter the national capital to press for their demands.
