New Delhi:
The arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk by Delhi Police – at the Singhu border on Monday evening as he and his supporters marched towards the national capital – has stoked tensions in the Union Territory of Ladakh, where he is leading a battle to save the local ecology protect. .
This morning, nearly two dozen protesters set up crude blockades – including sticks mounted over inverted traffic cones – on National Highway 1, about six kilometers from Fiang town.
The blockades have reportedly trapped tourists, including from abroad. The situation between these blockades is believed to be tense but calm for now. Images show at least demonstrators gathered behind a blockade, with about 100 cars and 50 trucks parked behind them.
“We are stuck on NH1 (due to protests) by supporters of activist Sonam Wangchuk… they have placed several blockades on the highway. They are not letting anyone pass… about 200-300 people are stuck,” Phillipe Geelhand, a tourist who was stuck on the highway, NDTV told over a phone call.
Image shared by Phillipe Geelhand
Mr Geelhand said a group of 20 to 30 foreign tourists, who had visited the monastery in Fiang this morning, had to walk back to Leh, which is about 15 km away, as vehicles were not allowed to pass through. The tourists also had to leave some of their bags and belongings in the cars.
“The mood is calm but tense at the moment. You feel that a small spark can worsen the situation in no time…” Mr Geelhand said, noting that commercial vehicles were also blocked.
He said the number of vehicles stuck at the blockade point has not increased as cars and trucks were stopped at previous checkpoints. “Only military vehicles are allowed to cross the border,” he said.
“It is quiet, but every time a vehicle approaches, it becomes exciting,” Geelhand told NDTV.
Sonam Wangchuk arrested
More than a hundred people, including Mr Wangchuk, walked to Delhi to urge the government to resume dialogue on demands that include inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which provides protection and autonomy to certain tribal areas and thus helps to better manage resources.
READ | Delhi Police arrests climate activist Sonam Wangchuk at Singhu border
They were arrested on Monday evening for violating prohibition orders.
Mr Wangchuk also shared the news of his detention on Many older men and women in their eighties and a few dozen military veterans… Our fate is unknown.”
I'm being held…
along with 150 padyatris
at the Delhi border, by a police force of hundreds, some say a thousand.
Many older men and women in their eighties and several dozen army veterans…
Our fate is unknown.
We were on a most peaceful march to Bapu's Samadhi… in the largest democracy… pic.twitter.com/iPZOJE5uuM— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) September 30, 2024
“We were on the most peaceful march to Bapu's Samadhi (to Rajghat in Delhi to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi) in the largest democracy in the world, the mother of democracy… Hi Ram!”
His detention has been criticized by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who called it “unacceptable” and demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respond to “the voice of Ladakh”.
“Why are elderly citizens being detained at Delhi's borders for standing up for the future of Ladakh? Modesjijust like with the farmers, this is 'chakravyuh' will be broken, just like your arrogance. You will have to listen to the voice of Ladakh,” he said on X.
The detention of Sonam Wangchuk ji and hundreds of Ladakhis who are peacefully marching for environmental and constitutional rights is unacceptable.
Why are elderly citizens being held at Delhi's borders for standing up for the future of Ladakh?
Modi ji, just like the farmers, this…
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 30, 2024
Since August 2019, when Article 370 was scrapped and the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two union territories, one of which is the UT of Ladakh, Mr. Wangchuk has been demanding that concrete steps be taken to protect the local environment.
He has also campaigned for statehood for Ladakh.
READ | Why climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is on foot in the March mission
He organized a five-day 'climate fast' at the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Ladakh in Leh from January 26, which ended with a public meeting at the city's Polo Ground on January 31.
Hundreds of locals joined Mr Wangchuk – a winner of the Ramon Magsaysay Award – who followed this up with a 21-day fast in March – days before the Lok Sabha elections.
NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get the latest updates from NDTV in your chat.
