Delhi cops finally let off Sonam Wangchuk, volunteers

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and 150-odd volunteers paid tributes at the Gandhi Samadhi at the Raj Ghat after being detained for 44 hours amid heavy police presence on Wednesday.

They were released in the evening and escorted by the police to the Raj Ghat. Many buses filled with volunteers were brought to the Raj Ghat, but Wangchuk reached there around 9.45 pm, three hours after his release.

Wangchuk, who was leading the ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’ was detained by the Delhi Police on Monday. Wangchuk and 150 volunteers were detained again late on Tuesday night after being briefly released by the Delhi Police.

Organised by the Leh Apex Body and supported by the Kargil Democratic Alliance, the march is part of the agitation seeking statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

Earlier, Mustafa Haji, a member of the Leh Apex Body, said the police had not been transparent with them. “We have been waiting here for hours. Wangchuk and others were released in the evening, but they have not arrived yet. We also have to submit a memorandum before we leave.”

“We have received an assurance from the Centre that talks on our demands will resume. We have submitted a memorandum to the government and are hopeful that it will take steps,” said the activist.