Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and his 150 supporters were again detained after they were released from Delhi's Bawana Police Station late Tuesday night. Their indefinite fast continues at the police station, PTI reported quoting officials on Wednesday. Wangchuk and other detained Ladakhis were allowed to go on Tuesday night but they were adamant to march towards the central part of Delhi, therefore, they were detained again, a senior police officer told PTI.
The group was first detained on Monday night at the Singhu border for "violating prohibitory orders" while trying to enter the national capital to advocate for their demands. Wangchuk was leading the "Delhi Chalo Padyatra," which started from Leh a month ago.
The march is organised by the Leh Apex Body (LAB), which along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) is spearheading an agitation over the past four years in support of statehood, extension of the Constitution's sixth schedule, early recruitment process along with a public service commission for Ladakh and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.
The Delhi Police has banned the gathering of five or more persons, people carrying banners, placards arms and or protests in the central part and bordering areas till October 5, citing law and order issues, including calls of protests given by several organisations.
Atishi Not Allowed To Meet Wangchuk
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi was not allowed to meet Wangchuk on Tuesday. "I reached Bawana police station to meet Sonam Wangchuk ji and 150 brothers and sisters of Ladakh. Delhi police did not let me meet them. It is being told that LG sahab called and said… This dictatorship is not right. Sonam Wangchuk ji and the people of Ladakh are also fighting against LG rule, fighting to get full statehood status for Ladakh. The people of Delhi stand with the people of Ladakh. LG rule should end in Ladakh, and LG rule should also end in Delhi. Ladakh and Delhi should get the status of a full state," she wrote on X.
Delhi Police has cited communal tensions over the Waqf Amendment Bill, Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s standing committee elections, pending Delhi University Students Union poll results and elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, among other things for imposing the curbs.