Ladakh March for constitutional safeguards halted at Delhi border, Sonam Wangchuk, others detained

October 1, 2024 by News Desk

The march from Ladakh, demanding constitutional safeguards for the region, was halted by police at the Delhi-Haryana border late Monday night.

The group, numbering around 150, was led by prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. They had embarked on the Delhi Chalo Padayatra from Leh on September 1, aiming to reach Rajghat on October 2.

However, their journey was cut short at the Singhu border in north Delhi, where Wangchuk and others were detained.

Wangchuk shared on X that he, along with 150 participants, including elderly people and army veterans, was held by a large police force.

Another group of protesters from Kargil was similarly detained in Narela, and some leaders staying at Ladakh Bhavan in central Delhi were also taken into custody.

The Delhi Police had initially granted permission for the march, only to cancel it on Monday.

Sajjad Kargili of the Kargil Democratic Alliance expressed disappointment over the detention, describing it as a denial of their fundamental right to protest.

He pointed out that the people of Ladakh have already faced significant losses since August 5, 2019, when Jammu Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 was revoked, and the state was split into two union territories, including Ladakh.

Kargili stressed that the demands for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule would continue despite the government’s actions.