Delhi police detain Sonam Wangchuk, 120 other marchers
Rahul Gandhi calls detentions ‘unacceptable’
New Delhi: In a swift crackdown, police detained over 120 people from Ladakh, including renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, at the Delhi border, as they marched towards the Indian capital demanding protection of their land and properties from outsiders.
According to Kashmir Media Service, condemning the arrests, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi termed the detention as “unacceptable” and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to listen to Ladakh’s voice.
The group was demanding Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh region of occupied Jammu and Kashmir for protection of local population, their land and cultural identity from Indian cultural and physical incursion.
Gandhi took to social media platform X to express his outrage, stating, “The detention of Sonam Wangchuk and hundreds of Ladakhis peacefully marching for environmental and constitutional rights is unacceptable”. He also questioned the detention of elderly citizens at Delhi’s border, asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to listen to Ladakh’s voice.
Wangchuk, who was detained along with his supporters, shared updates on Instagram, revealing that they were stopped by a massive police presence at the Delhi border. Despite initial thoughts of being escorted, it became clear they were being detained.
Wangchuk reported around 1,000 police personnel at the border and heavy security deployment at Ladakh Bhawan and areas with Ladakhi students.
The detained group, including Army veterans and elderly citizens, had embarked on a foot march from Leh to New Delhi to urge New Delhi to resume dialogue with Ladakh’s leadership regarding their demands.
