New Delhi:

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Monday ended his fast along with others, after the home ministry assured them that the talks on Ladakh’s demands will be resumed in December.

Joint Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Prashant Lokhande met the activists, who have been sitting on an indefinite fast at Delhi’s Ladakh Bhawan since October 6, and handed them a letter from the home ministry.

The letter said the high-powered committee of the ministry, which was holding talks with representatives from Ladakh, will hold the next meeting on December 3.

Following this, Wangchuk and his supporters decided to break their fast. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday sat on a fast at the Ladakh Bhawan where he was staying, after the protesters were denied permission to stage the stir for Ladakh’s Sixth Schedule status at Jantar Mantar.

Sonam Wangchuk, in a brief interaction with media before starting the fast, said they were forced to stage the protest at the Ladakh Bhawan after failing to find any venue for their stir.

Around 18 people, including Sonam Wangchuk, sat close to the gate of the Ladakh Bhawan, singing the Hindi version of ‘We Shall Overcome’, and raised slogans such as ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, “Jai Ladakh ” and “Save Ladakh, Save Himalaya”.

On Sunday morning, Sonam Wangchuk took to ‘X’ to say that they have been denied permission to sit on a fast at Jantar Mantar.

“Another rejection, another frustration. Finally this morning we got this rejection letter for the officially designated place for protests,” Sonam Wangchuk said.

The climate activist led the ‘Delhi Chalo Padayatra’, which began in Leh a month ago. The march was organised by Leh Apex Body, which along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance, has been spearheading an agitation for the last four years seeking statehood for Ladakh, its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, a public service commission for Ladakh, and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.

On Saturday, a majority of the protesters returned to Ladakh while the remaining stayed back to join Wangchuk for the fast

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and several others from Ladakh paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial Rajghat on Wednesday evening and later said they have been released from police detention and ended their fast.

The group gave a memorandum to the government listing their demands, and have been assured of a meeting with top leadership soon, Mr Wangchuk said, adding they have ended their fast.

“We have given a memorandum to the government to protect Ladakh under such constitutional provisions so that its ecology can be preserved, in this case it is the Sixth Schedule, which gives locals the right to govern and manage the resources,” Mr Wangchuk told media after visiting Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial.

“Locals should be empowered in the Himalayas because they can best preserve it,” he said.

“In the coming days, we will meet the prime minister, president or home minister, this is the assurance we have been given by the home ministry,” he said.

“We have demanded a democratic set-up for Ladakh, and the Sixth Schedule is also a part of it. We have been assured that we will meet top leadership, and the date of meeting will be confirmed in a couple of days,” Mr Wangchuk said.

A senior police officer confirmed that Mr Wangchuk and all other ‘padayatris’ were released in the evening.

“They were allowed to go after an assurance from them of not gathering or holding any yatra as Section 163 is imposed in central parts of the national capital,” the officer said.

Sonam Wangchuk was kept at the Bawana police station while other ‘padayatris’ were at three other police stations at Delhi-Haryana border.

All were escorted in buses by police personnel till Rajghat at about 9.30 pm and later, Mr Wangchuk and all others ‘padayatris’ were allowed to go.

Police sources said Mr Wangchuk might stay in Delhi for a few more days to seek meeting with the government.

Mr Wangchuk said they have been assured that talks with the representatives of the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance will resume within 15 days.

Mr Wangchuk was leading the ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’, which began from Leh a month ago. Around 170 people from Ladakh, who were marching to Delhi demanding safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution for the Union Territory among other things, were detained on Monday night at Delhi’s Singhu border, and were taken to different police stations where they went on a hunger strike.

The march was organised by the Leh Apex Body (LAB), which along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), has been spearheading an agitation for the past four years to demand statehood for Ladakh, seek its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, early recruitment process along with a public service commission for Ladakh and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.

Delhi Police had detained them citing the imposition of section 163 (which was earlier section 144 of CrPC) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in the districts of New Delhi, North and Central and all police stations jurisdiction sharing the borders with other states.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Climate activist Soman Wangchuk and 170 Ladakhis under police detention for the past two days for violating prohibitory orders have been taken to Rajghat, an officer said on Wednesday.

Mr Wangchuk, who was leading ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’, had gone on an indefinite fast after he was detained by the Delhi Police on Monday.

The ‘padyatra’ was organised by the Leh Apex Body, which along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance, has been spearheading an agitation for the last four years for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

Mr Wangchuk had begun his journey with 170 Ladakhis from Leh a month ago.

The marchers were detained at several police stations in the outskirts of Delhi on Monday night.

They were detained at the city’s Singhu Border while they on their way to Rajghat.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Delhi Police’s detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk – at the Singhu border Monday night, while his supporters and he were marching to the national capital – has led to tension in the Union Territory of Ladakh, where he is leading a fight to safeguard the local ecology.

This morning nearly two dozen protesters mounted crude blockades – including sticks mounted across upturned traffic cones – on National Highway 1, about six km from the town of Fiang.

The blockades have reportedly trapped tourists, including those from abroad. The situation in-between these blockades is understood to be tense but calm, for now. Visuals show at least protesters gathered behind a blockade, with about 100 cars and 50 trucks parked behind them.

“We are stuck on NH1 (due to protests) by supporters of the activist Sonam Wangchuk… they have placed various blockades on the highway. They are not letting anyone pass… around 200-300 people stuck,” Phillipe Geelhand, a tourist stuck on the highway, told NDTV via a phone call.

Mr Geelhand said a group of 20-30 foreign tourists, who had visited the monastery in Fiang this morning, had to walk back to Leh, which is about 15 km away, because the vehicles were not allowed to pass. The tourists also had to leave some of their bags and belongings in the cars.

“The mood is currently calm but tense. You feel that a small spark can deteriorate the situation in no time…” Mr Geelhand said, noting that commercial vehicles had been blocked too.

He said the number of vehicles stuck at the blockade point has not increased as cars and trucks were being stopped at earlier checkpoints. “Only military vehicles are allowed to cross,” he said.

“It’s quiet but tenses each time a vehicle approaches,” Mr Geelhand told NDTV.

Sonam Wangchuk Detained

More than 100 people, including Mr Wangchuk, were walking to Delhi to urge the government to resume dialogue over demands that include listing Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which provides protection and autonomy to certain tribal areas that helps better manage resources.

READ | Delhi Police Detain Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk At Singhu Border

They were detained Monday night for violating prohibitory orders.

Mr Wangchuk also shared news of his detention on X, posting, “I AM BEING DETAINED… along with 150 padyatris at Delhi border by a police force of hundreds… some say 1,000. Many elderly men and women in their 80s and a few dozen Army veterans… Our fate is unknown.”

I AM BEING DETAINED…
along with 150 padyatris
at Delhi Border, by a police force of 100s some say 1,000.
Many elderly men & women in their 80s and few dozen Army veterans…
Our fate is unknown.
We were on a most peaceful march to Bapu’s Samadhi… in the largest democracy… pic.twitter.com/iPZOJE5uuM

— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) September 30, 2024

“We were on the most peaceful march to Bapu’s Samadhi (to Rajghat in Delhi to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi) in the largest democracy in the world, the mother of democracy… Hai Ram!”

His detention has been criticised by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who called it “unacceptable” and demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi answer to “Ladakh’s voice”.

“Why are elderly citizens being detained at Delhi’s border for standing up for Ladakh’s future? Modiji, as with the farmers, this ‘chakravyuh‘ will be broken and so will your arrogance. You will have to listen to Ladakh’s voice,” he said on X.

The detention of Sonam Wangchuk ji and hundreds of Ladakhis peacefully marching for environmental and constitutional rights is unacceptable.

Why are elderly citizens being detained at Delhi’s border for standing up for Ladakh’s future?

Modi ji, like with the farmers, this…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 30, 2024

Since August 2019, when Article 370 was scrapped and former state of Jammu and Kashmir was split into two union territories, one of which is the UT of Ladakh, Mr Wangchuk has been demanding concrete steps be taken to safeguard the local environment.

He has also been campaigning for statehood for Ladakh.

READ | Why Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk Is On Foot March Mission

He staged a five-day ‘climate fast’ at the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Ladakh in Leh from January 26, which ended with a public rally at the city’s Polo Ground on January 31.

Hundreds of locals joined Mr Wangchuk – a Ramon Magsaysay award winner – who followed that with a a 21-day fast in March – days before the Lok Sabha election.

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New Delhi:

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who along with his supporters was detained at Delhi’s Singhu border while marching to Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, is leading a mission to safeguard the ecology of Ladakh.

The activist and over 100 people from Ladakh were headed to the national capital to demand sixth schedule status for the union territory.

They were detained on Monday night by the Delhi Police at the city’s Singhu border for violating prohibitory orders.

Mr Wangchuk and other volunteers were embarking on a foot march from Leh to Delhi to urge the Centre to resume dialogue with Ladakh’s leadership regarding their demands. One of their key demands is to include Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, granting law-making powers to the local population to protect their land and cultural identity.

The 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides special protections and autonomy to certain tribal areas in India. It helps preserve their culture and manage their resources.

After the abrogation of Article 370, J&K was bifurcated and Ladakh was given a separate UT status.

Mr Wangchuk has been demanding concrete steps be taken to safeguard the environment of the UT and Ladakh be granted statehood and brought under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution.

In support of his demand, the climate activist staged a five-day ‘climate fast’ at the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Ladakh (HIAL) campus in Leh from January 26-30. The protest ended with a public rally at Polo Ground in Leh on January 31. Hundreds of locals joined him.

Mr Wangchuk in his speech expressed unhappiness at the UT status and being governed by a Lt Governor. He said then, “We thought it would be better than being a part of Jammu and Kashmir, as we would have a legislature and decisions would be taken according to people’s wishes. But we have not seen anything like that happen. Now, only one man is making all the decisions for us.”

He did a 21-day fast in March in Leh, after surviving on water and salt, in support of his demands — protection for the fragile ecology and the Indigenous culture of Ladakh

Along with over 100 supporters on September 1, the Ramon Magsaysay award winner embarked on the foot march to Delhi in support of his demands. He says his march is to call attention towards the catastrophic effects of climate change in Ladakh and the greater Himalayan region.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday criticised the Delhi Police’s detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and his supporters at the Singhu border, describing it as “unacceptable.”

“The detention of Sonam Wangchuk ji and hundreds of Ladakhis who were peacefully marching for environmental and constitutional rights is unacceptable,” Rahul Gandhi stated in a post on X.

He attributed the responsibility for the detention to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Why are elderly citizens being detained at Delhi’s border for standing up for Ladakh’s future? Modi ji, as with the farmers, this ‘Chakravyuh’ will be broken, and so will your arrogance. You will have to listen to Ladakh’s voice,” he added.

The detention of Sonam Wangchuk ji and hundreds of Ladakhis peacefully marching for environmental and constitutional rights is unacceptable.

Why are elderly citizens being detained at Delhi’s border for standing up for Ladakh’s future?

Modi ji, like with the farmers, this…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 30, 2024

Mr Wangchuk and his supporters were detained by Delhi Police on late Monday night. Section 163 of the BNS has been imposed at the Delhi borders, Delhi Police announced.

Mr Wangchuk also shared news of his detention on the social media platform ‘X’.

“I AM BEING DETAINED… along with 150 padyatris at Delhi Border, by a police force of hundreds, some say 1,000. Many elderly men & women in their 80s and a few dozen Army veterans… Our fate is unknown. We were on the most peaceful march to Bapu’s Samadhi… in the largest democracy in the world, the mother of democracy… Hai Ram!” Sonam Wangchuk posted.

I AM BEING DETAINED…
along with 150 padyatris
at Delhi Border, by a police force of 100s some say 1,000.
Many elderly men & women in their 80s and few dozen Army veterans…
Our fate is unknown.
We were on a most peaceful march to Bapu’s Samadhi… in the largest democracy… pic.twitter.com/iPZOJE5uuM

— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) September 30, 2024

Activist Wangchuk and other volunteers embarked on a foot march from Leh to New Delhi to urge the Centre to resume dialogue with Ladakh’s leadership regarding their demands.

One of their key demands is for Ladakh to be included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which would grant law-making powers to the local population to protect their land and cultural identity.

The march began in Leh on September 1. Earlier, on reaching Himachal Pradesh on September 14, Mr Wangchuk emphasised their mission’s purpose.

“We are on a mission to remind the government of the promise it made to us five years ago,” he stated.

Sonam Wangchuk has advocated for statehood, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution–which grants special rights to tribal communities–and stronger ecological protections for Ladakh.

Previously, Sonam Wangchuk completed a nine-day fast in Leh to draw the authorities’ attention to the importance of safeguarding Ladakh’s fragile mountain ecology and indigenous people.

After the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, Jammu and Kashmir was split into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and his supporters were detained by Delhi Police at the Singhu border on Monday night. Section 163 of the BNS has been imposed at Delhi borders, said Delhi Police.

Mr Wangchuk also took to X to inform about his detention.

“I AM BEING DETAINED… along with 150 padyatris at Delhi Border, by a police force of hundreds, some say 1,000. Many elderly men & women in their 80s and a few dozen Army veterans… Our fate is unknown. We were on a most peaceful march to Bapu’s Samadhi… in the largest democracy in the world, the mother of democracy… Hai Ram!” the climate activist posted on X.

I AM BEING DETAINED…
along with 150 padyatris
at Delhi Border, by a police force of 100s some say 1,000.
Many elderly men & women in their 80s and few dozen Army veterans…
Our fate is unknown.
We were on a most peaceful march to Bapu’s Samadhi… in the largest democracy… pic.twitter.com/iPZOJE5uuM

— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) September 30, 2024

Mr Wangchuk and other volunteers were embarking on a foot march from Leh to New Delhi to urge the Centre to resume dialogue with Ladakh’s leadership regarding their demands.

One of their key demands is for Ladakh to be included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, granting law-making powers to the local population to protect their land and cultural identity.

Mr Wangchuk and around 75 volunteers started their foot march from Leh on September 1.

Earlier, Mr Wangchuk stated that they were on a mission to remind the government to fulfil the promise it made five years ago.

“We are on a mission to remind the government to fulfil the promise it made to us five years ago,” he said on September 14 when the foot march reached Himachal Pradesh.

Mr Wangchuk has been advocating for statehood, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which grants special rights to tribal communities, and stronger ecological protections for Ladakh.

Previously, Sonam Wangchuk completed a nine-day fast in Leh, which he undertook to draw the authorities’ attention to the importance of safeguarding Ladakh’s fragile mountain ecology and indigenous people.

After the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, Jammu and Kashmir was split into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Leh/New Delhi:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced Monday the creation of five new districts in Ladakh, raising their number to seven in a decision welcomed by local people as fulfilment of their long-pending demand.

The new districts are: Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang.

However, the Leh Apex Body, which along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) is fighting for their four major demands including granting of statehood and extension of sixth schedule of the Constitution, said they will continue their peaceful struggle.

In a post on X, Mr Shah said the Union Home Ministry has decided to create the five new districts in pursuit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to build a developed and prosperous Ladakh.

“The new districts, namely Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang, will take the benefits meant for the people to their doorstep by bolstering governance in every nook and cranny,” he said.

Leh and Kargil were the only two districts in Ladakh, the largest union territory in terms of area but the second least populous. It has an expanse of 86,904 square kilometers bordering China and Pakistan, with a population of 2.74 lakh according to the 2011 census.

The home minister said the Modi government is committed to creating abundant opportunities for the people of Ladakh.

Ladakh was carved out of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and declared a UT after the state was divided into two UTs on August 5, 2019.

On that day five years ago, Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state, was also abrogated. Being a UT, Ladakh comes under the direct administrative control of the union home ministry.

Prime Minister Modi hailed the creation of the new districts as a step towards better governance and prosperity.

Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang will now receive more focused attention, bringing services and opportunities even closer to people, he said, congratulating them.

He said on X, “Creation of five new districts in Ladakh is a step towards better governance and prosperity.” Former BJP MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal termed the centre’s announcement a ‘Janmashtami’ gift for the people of Ladakh.

“In 2018, the BJP granted Ladakh a separate division and also fulfilled the demand for UT next year besides enhancing the budget to Rs 6,000 crore. We welcome the decision which is in accordance with the aspirations of the people,” he said, highlighting his role for raising the issue with the government during his tenure between 2019 and 2024.

He also praised the Ladakh Lt Governor Brig (Retd) B D Mirsha for his efforts in granting the five new districts to the region.

“I am thankful to home minister and Modi government on behalf of the people of Ladakh for announcing five new districts to Ladakh which was a long pending demand of the people, especially Zanskar region,” said Sonam Wangchuk, a climate activist and a member of the Leh Apex Body.

THANK YOU @AmitShah ji and @narendramodi ji pic.twitter.com/QliNjz5N6q

— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) August 26, 2024

He said the decision is in accordance with the promise made by the BJP to the people of these areas but “we have to see whether these are just administrative districts or democratic units wherein they have autonomous district councils like Leh and Kargil”.

Mr Wangchuk reminded the BJP of its promise of extending sixth schedule of the Constitution to the region and said the government must address the primary demand of the people for safeguards otherwise the struggle of the locals would continue.

The Congress’ Ladakh president Nawang Rigzin Jora also welcomed the Centre’s decision but said just creating administrative districts would not save environment, culture and identity of the people of Ladakh for which they are on the streets for the last over four years.

“Creating five more districts further strengthens our demand for statehood because the UT of Pondicherry with only four districts has a legislative assembly. Ladakh is strategically located and the demands of its people are justified,” Mr Jora, whose party is also part of the LAB, said, adding the LAB will continue its struggle in support of its four-point agenda.

He also demanded democratically elected autonomous hill councils for the newly created districts and a separate budget for the new districts.

Ladakh Buddhist Association President Chering Dorje Lakrook, who is also co-chairman of the LAB, said the government’s decision fulfilled the justified demand of the people.

“This decision will benefit the people especially living in far-flung areas by getting all facilities at their doorstep,” he said.

He said there will be no impact of the decision on the ongoing struggle in support of their four demands. “The creation of new districts is not the demand of the LAB and KDA, so we stand by our decision to undertake foot march from Leh to Delhi beginning September 1.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Leh:

With the Ladakh administration imposing prohibitory orders banning rallies on Sunday and a 24-hour reduction in internet speed, the Leh-based Apex Body said it has no intention of violating laws and hoped it will be allowed to carry out its proposed ‘border march’.

The Apex Body, along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), is spearheading the agitation to demand statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

The Apex Body announced the ‘border (Pashmina) march’ to Changthang to highlight the condition of grazers, who are allegedly losing prime pasture land to huge industrial plants to the south and Chinese encroachments to the north.

In an apparent move aimed at countering the march, the District Magistrate (DM) of Leh Santosh Sukhadeve on Friday ordered the imposition of CrPC section 144 on April 7 and directed that no procession, rally or march should be taken without his prior approval.

He said the Leh senior superintendent of police has reported that there were reliable inputs indicating a possible breach of peace and public tranquillity in the district.

“No one shall use the vehicle-mounted or other loudspeakers without prior approval from the competent authority. No public gathering without prior approval of the competent authority shall be allowed. No one shall make any statements which have the potential to disturb communal harmony and public tranquillity and which may lead to law-and-order problems in the district,” the DM’s order said.

“All persons shall ensure that they follow the Model Code of Conduct and that all the activities are according to the law,” it added.

In a separate order, Additional Director General of Police of Ladakh S D Singh Jamwal ordered the scaling down of internet speed and mobile data services of 3G, 4G and 5G connections and public 5G Wi-Fi facilities to 2G within a 10-kilometre radius of Leh city from 6 pm on April 6 for 24 hours.

The DM of Leh, in another order, prohibited the posting or sharing such messages that have the potential to disturb communal harmony, peace and tranquillity and may lead to a law-and-order situation in the district.

“It shall be the responsibility of the admins of WhatsApp groups or social media platforms to monitor and filter such content immediately,” the order read.

The Leh Apex Body (LAB) termed the restrictions ahead of its proposed border march an “overreaction” by the administration and said it has no intention of violating the law.

“We have been holding a chain hunger strike for the past 31 days and we feel such a reaction is the result of some misunderstanding,” climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, flanked by LAB leader Chering Dorjay, told reporters here.

Wangchuk, who held a hunger strike for 21 days till March 26, said they strongly believe in peace and peaceful ways to highlight their demands, including those connected with the prevailing condition of the Pashmina grazers.

“If they stop us from marching ahead, it shows the government has something to hide and they do not want the real picture to reach the outside world… we are hopeful that the administration will allow our peaceful march if they have nothing to hide,” he said.

Wangchuk added that a meeting of stakeholders will be held to decide the future course of action within the next couple of days.

Dorjay said they will go ahead with the march and it will be peaceful.

Wangchuk also alleged that the police administration was calling volunteers to the local police stations and threatening them.

“Our request is not to spread unrest in the name of peace. This is a very sensitive region and we always cared for the country,” he added. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)