Activist sets September 19–24 window for fresh protest, says government must assure action on Ladakh demands within a week
Educationalist and activist Sonam Wangchuk has threatened to launch a fresh agitation in Ladakh from September 19 to 24 if the government fails to give an assurance within a week on the region’s pending demands.
The announcement came hours after Wangchuk expressed disappointment over talks between key Ladakh groups and a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sub-committee in New Delhi. Leaders of the Apex Body of Leh (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) are scheduled to address a press conference in the national capital on Thursday.
Wangchuk said the September 9 meeting had made little progress, describing the discussions as disappointing. He also shared an old clip from comedian Jaspal Bhatti’s show in an apparent dig at the outcome of the talks.
The latest warning marks another escalation in the campaign for greater political safeguards and autonomy in Ladakh.
Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in September last year following violent protests in Ladakh. The clashes, which erupted during demonstrations seeking greater autonomy for the Union Territory, left four people dead and injured several others. He was released in March this year after spending six months in custody.
The activist later backed students protesting alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and observed a 26-day indefinite hunger strike from June 28.
The Ladakh statehood movement has remained a major political issue in the Union Territory, with representatives of Leh and Kargil pressing the Centre for action on their demands.
Wangchuk’s latest call for agitation comes at a time when negotiations between Ladakh representatives and the Centre are continuing, but differences over the pace and substance of the talks remain.
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