Rahul on Tuesday alleged that PM Modi has betrayed the people of Ladakh. Rahul demanded a fair judicial inquiry into the police firing in Leh, which killed four protesters, including Tsawang Tharchin, a participant in the Kargil War.
Meanwhile, demands have intensified for granting statehood to Ladakh and for the release of other arrested youths, including environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk. The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) said it will not talk to the Centre’s high-powered committee until normalcy is restored in Ladakh. The Leh Apex Body (LAB) had already announced it would not engage in talks.
Violent protests occurred in Leh during a shutdown called by the LAB on 24 September, which resulted in four deaths. Fifty people were taken into custody for allegedly inciting violence.
Wangchuk, who became the face of the movement, was arrested under the NSA and sent to Jodhpur jail. The Centre had invited LAB and KDA for talks on 20 September.
Peace prevailed in Leh and the curfew was relaxed for only two hours on Monday at 4 PM. However, tourists visiting here are stranded, confined to their hotels, and unable to move around or visit sightseeing spots. Many are troubled due to closed markets and suspended mobile internet services.
Home Ministry
The Union Home Ministry said that the Centre is ready for dialogue with LAB and KDA on matters related to Ladakh at any time. The Home Ministry expressed confidence that the talks would yield positive results. The LAB has distanced itself from talks until October 6 in protest against clashes and arrests, demanding a judicial inquiry and the release of environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk.
4 more arrested
Mohammad Shafi Lasu, President of the Ladakh Bar Association, informed that Congress councilors Samanla Dorje Nurbo and Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepak, Savin Rigzin, Vice President of the Ladakh Buddhist Association, and Rigzin Dorje, the village headman, have been sent to police custody.
The remaining accused, including youth leaders and students from the Leh Apex Body and the Ladakh Buddhist Association, have been sent to judicial custody.
In the September 24 violence, 3 youths and a 46-year-old ex-serviceman, Tsewang Tharchin, were killed. The funerals of two of the four, Jigmet Dorjay and Stanzin Namgyal, took place on Sunday. Local and national media also wanted to attend, but the police stopped them 200 meters before Jigmet's house, saying - 'Permission is not granted.'
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