Delhi Chief Minister Atishi was stopped from meeting detained Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk. Atishi reached the police station around 1 pm but was stopped by police officers, AAP said in a statement. A heavy deployment has been put in place around the Bawana Police Station, situated on the Delhi-Haryana border. Wanchuk's supporters who were also detained have been kept at several other police stations at Delhi borders.
Wangchuk is leading the march, 'Delhi Chalo Padyatra,' which began from Leh a month ago to urge the Centre to resume dialogue with Ladakh's leadership regarding their demands. Before being detained on Monday night, the activist shared the news of his detention through microblogging website 'X'.
ALSO READ ON ABP LIVE: Why Is Sonam Wangchuk Marching From Ladakh To Delhi And Why Was He Detained By Police?
A police officer said Wangchuk and others wanted to spend the night at the border. They were initially requested to go back as prohibitory orders were imposed in Delhi but when they did not stop, the policemen who were already deployed at the border, detained about 120 men, PTI reported quoting the officer.
The Delhi Police imposed Section 163 of the BNS, restricting the assembly of more than four persons at a place. The restrictions were imposed to prevent a law and order situation. Sonam Wangchuk was at the Singhu border after the curbs were imposed.
Congress Reacts Strongly
Congress Cheif Mallikarjun Kharge termed the action "cowardly". "The arrogance of the Modi Govt consumed in power has detained a group of citizens from Ladakh peacefully marching to Delhi. This is nothing but a cowardly action, and is deeply undemocratic in nature," he said.
"In Ladakh, there is a growing wave of public support, with widespread calls for safeguarding tribal communities under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Instead, the Modi Govt wants to exploit the ecologically sensitive Himalayan glaciers of Ladakh to benefit its crony friends. This incident tells us that the fight against Modi Govt’s brazen despotism is far from over!" Kharge added.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi termed the action as "unacceptable". "The detention of Sonam Wangchuk ji and hundreds of Ladakhis peacefully marching for environmental and constitutional rights is unacceptable. Why are elderly citizens being detained at Delhi’s border for standing up for Ladakh's future?" Rahul asked.
No Release Till Thursday?
A plea was filed in the Delhi High Court seeking a direction to release Wangchuk and others who were detained with him. However, the court did not take up the matter since the court was hearing full bench matters today. The high court has agreed to hear the matter on October 3 (Thursday), provided that all the required documents are filed by the petitioner by today at 3:30 PM.