Tensions have surged in the Union Territory of Ladakh following the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and his supporters by Delhi Police. The group, comprising over 100 individuals, was marching to Delhi to urge the government to resume dialogue regarding their demands, which include listing Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to ensure greater autonomy and protection for the region.
Wangchuk was detained at the Singhu border on Monday night, prompting his supporters to mount crude blockades on National Highway 1, approximately six kilometers from the town of Fiang. Demonstrators used sticks and traffic cones to obstruct the road, effectively trapping numerous tourists, including international visitors. Reports indicate that about 200 to 300 individuals are currently stuck due to the blockade.
Phillipe Geelhand, a tourist caught in the protest, described the situation to NDTV, stating, “We are stuck on NH1… they have placed various blockades on the highway. They are not letting anyone pass.” Geelhand noted that a group of 20 to 30 foreign tourists, who had visited a nearby monastery, were forced to walk back to Leh, approximately 15 kilometers away, leaving behind some of their belongings in their vehicles.
Despite the tense atmosphere, the protest remained calm, with vehicles, except for military ones, being prevented from passing through. Geelhand observed, “It’s quiet but tense each time a vehicle approaches.”
Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent figure in the fight to protect Ladakh’s ecology, took to social media to announce his detention, saying, “I AM BEING DETAINED… along with 150 padyatris at Delhi border by a police force of hundreds.” He expressed concern for the elderly and Army veterans in his group, emphasizing their peaceful intentions to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
Wangchuk’s detention has drawn criticism from several political figures, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who deemed it “unacceptable.” He called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respond to the demands of the people of Ladakh, questioning the rationale behind detaining elderly citizens advocating for the region’s future.
Since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which led to the bifurcation of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, Wangchuk has been a vocal advocate for the rights of Ladakhis, pushing for measures to protect the local environment and calling for statehood for the region.
As protests continue, the situation in Ladakh remains fluid, with activists determined to make their voices heard amid increasing tensions with law enforcement.
Sources By Agencies