Ex-Army man held after Leh violence called ‘anti-national’ during grilling

An ex-Army man, who served in the Army for 17 years and was among those arrested after the September 24 violence in Leh, has alleged that during the questioning by the Ladakh Police, he was asked about “Chinese and Pakistan funding” and even called “anti-national”. He is now out on bail.

Violence had broken out in Leh town, leaving four people dead and nearly 100 injured in security forces’ firing on September 24. The police launched a crackdown and arrested over 70 people. The court, however, has released half of the arrested persons on bail.

Talking to The Tribune, 42-year-old Tundup Namgyal said he had put up a post on an ex-Armymen WhatsApp group informing through a voice note about the hunger strike held from September 10 in Leh. He was detained on the day when the violence took place.

Released from jail on October 2, Namgyal, also an ex-nambardar and now a businessman, also alleged that he was beaten up as soon as he was taken to the police station. “Upon reaching the police station, they started beating me. I was told that I am anti-national. They asked how much funds do I get from China? How much funds do I get from Pakistan? How much funds does Sonam Wangchuk give you? Give the names of 5-6 boys,” said Namgyal, who is also president of Ex-servicemen Association in Durbuk block.

Namgyal said he continuously told them that he has served the country for 17 years and cannot think about any activity which goes against the country. “I retired in August 2018. I served in Siachen glacier twice, on the India-China border twice. I even served in the UN peacekeeping force in 2011…but I am very disappointed that I have been called anti-national and I have to face allegations like these,” he said.

Namgyal said that people like him are ready to “die for the country.”

“But democracy is completely destroyed here. This is not the way you treat your own men,” he said.

According to Namgyal, people have been raising genuine demands and the administration should listen to the people. “Our four-point demand should be fulfilled,” he said.

Leh Apex Body (LAB), which is one of the two groups spearheading the ongoing movement for statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, this week said that the body has raised the issue of “harassment” of nambardars (village heads) who were questioned by the UT Police.

LAB co-chairman Cherring Dorjay Lakruk had said on Wednesday that LAB has taken up this matter with the administration. The Ladakh police haven’t issued any statement with regard to these allegations.