Lodged in Jodhpur jail, Sonam Wangchuk demands judicial probe into Leh killings

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been detained under the NSA Act in Jodhpur Jail, has demanded independent judicial inquiry into the killing of 4 persons last week during firing by security forces in Leh.

He also has asked people to keep “peace and unity and continue with our struggle peacefully, in the true Gandhian way of non-violence”.

In his message from Central Jail, Jodhpur, through Tsetan Dorjey Ley, who is Wangchuk’s elder brother, and lawyer Mustafa Haj, who met him on October 4, he has 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 people who lost their lives and my prayers are with people who are injured and are arrested,” he said.

Sonam has said there should be “an independent judicial inquiry into the killing of our four people and unless that is done, I am prepared to stay in jail.”

He has also said that he stands firmly with the Apex Body and the KDA (Kargil Democratic Alliance) and the people of Ladakh “in our genuine constitutional demand for Sixth Schedule and Statehood” and whatever actions Apex Body takes in the interest of Ladakh, I am with them, wholeheartedly.“

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