Leh protest crackdown: Ex-Indian army man faces torture, false anti-national allegations
Leh: Accounts of torture and harassment by Indian police continue to emerge following the killing of four protesters in Leh town, Ladakh, on September 24, when Indian forces fired on demonstrators, injuring nearly 100 people.
According to Kashmir Media Service, dozens of people were subsequently arrested in a sweeping crackdown. Among those detained was 42-year-old ex-Indian Army man Tundup Namgyal, who served for 17 years, including stints at the Siachen Glacier, the India-China border, and the UN Peacekeeping Force in 2011.
Namgyal, also a former nambardar (village head) and current businessman, was arrested the same day the violence took place in Leh for sharing a voice note on an ex-Army WhatsApp group about a hunger strike held from September 10 in Leh.
In a media interview, Namgyal described the brutal treatment he endured during detention. “As soon as I reached the police station, they began beating me,” he said. “I was called anti-national and asked how much funding I receive from China, Pakistan, and Sonam Wangchuk, and to name five to six boys involved.”
Namgyal stressed that despite serving the country for 17 years, he was wrongly accused of anti-national activities. “I retired in August 2018, but I am very disappointed that I have to face such allegations.”
“Democracy is completely destroyed here. This is not how you treat your own people,” he added.
He urged the Indian authorities to heed the genuine demands of the people. “Our four-point demand should be fulfilled,” Namgyal urged, highlighting the continued frustration and unrest among the local population. KMS-9S
