New Delhi: Opposition leaders have criticised the detention of activist Sonam Wangchuk at the Delhi border, calling it “unacceptable.” Delhi Police detained around 120 people from Ladakh, including Wangchuk, on Monday night as they marched to Delhi, demanding sixth schedule status for Ladakh. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi expressed his disapproval, while AAP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj condemned the police’s actions.
Wangchuk and other volunteers had embarked on a foot march from Leh to New Delhi on September 1, pushing for talks with the central government regarding Ladakh’s demands. They sought inclusion under the sixth schedule of the Constitution to grant local law-making powers for protecting Ladakh’s land and culture, along with separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.
Although Wangchuk and his group intended to stay at the border, they were detained after refusing to leave due to prohibitory orders in place until October 5. Prior to his detention, Wangchuk shared visuals of the heavy police presence accompanying their buses.
While the male protestors were taken to nearby police stations, the women in the group were not detained. The Delhi Police has also imposed a ban on gatherings, protests, and carrying of placards in central and border areas of the city for six days, citing law and order concerns.
