Conduct independent probe into Leh deaths: Wangchuk

Detained climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has said he is prepared to remain in jail until an independent judicial inquiry is ordered into the deaths of four persons in the September 24 police firing during protests in Leh.

Wangchuk has been detained under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) in Jodhpur jail.

His message was conveyed by Mustafa Haji, legal adviser of the Leh Apex Body, and Tsetan Dorjey Ley, the activist’s elder brother, after they met him in the jail on Saturday.

Notably, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) is one of the two groups spearheading the ongoing movement for statehood and safeguards under the Constitution's Sixth Schedule.

This was the first meeting of Wangchuk with his brother and lawyer since his detention. Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali J Angmo has been repeatedly saying she had not spoken to him yet and no information had been given to her.

In his message, Wangchuk said, “I am doing well, both physically and mentally, and thank everyone for their concern and prayers.”

“My heartfelt condolences to the families of those persons who lost their lives and my prayers are with people who were injured and arrested,” he said.

Wangchuk said, "There should be an independent judicial inquiry into the killing of four persons, and unless it is done, I am prepared to stay in the jail.”

He also said he stood firmly with the LAB, the Kargil Democratic Alliance and the people of Ladakh “in our genuine constitutional demand for the Sixth Schedule and statehood” and "whatever actions the LAB takes in the interest of Ladakh, I am with them, wholeheartedly”.

“I appeal to people to keep peace and unity and continue with our struggle peacefully in the true Gandhian way of non-violence,” Wangchuk said.

A violence broke out in Leh on September 24, during a hunger strike by Wangchuk, when protesters, mostly youth, torched the BJP office, the Leh Hill Council building and several vehicles. The security forces opened fire, resulting in four deaths.

Wangchuk had been on a 35-day hunger strike, which he ended shortly after the violence broke out.

Soon after the violence, Wangchuk was detained under the NSA and shifted to Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan. The UT administration described his actions as “prejudicial to the security of the state time and again.”

The UT administration also said the entire episode could have been avoided if “he had risen above personal and political ambitions by calling off the hunger strike once dialogue with the government resumed”.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is slated to hear on Monday a plea filed by Gitanjali, challenging the activist's detention. Haji Mustafa, legal adviser of the Leh Apex Body, told The Tribune that a battery of lawyers, including Kapil Sibal, would represent Wangchuk during the hearing. He also said Gitanjali would travel to Jodhpur to meet Wangchuk after the hearing on Monday.