‘Provocative’: Govt Says Sonam Wangchuk Threatened Self-Immolation Over Ladakh Statehood Demand
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Activist Sonam Wangchuk stated the Leh Apex Physique and Kargil Democratic Alliance ought to write to the Centre asking if the sixth schedule or statehood will probably be mentioned
Activist Sonam Wangchuk launched a video message purportedly encouraging self-immolation over statehood demand for Ladakh. (Picture: News18/Sourced)
In a video assertion by which he’s purportedly encouraging self-immolation, activist Sonam Wangchuk has stated if wanted he is able to sacrifice himself over statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion within the Sixth Schedule of the Structure. Within the message, launched two months in the past, he claimed that Ladakhis are upset over the 15-year domicile coverage.
His messages on the statehood demand are, nevertheless, changing into “more and more provocative” and could also be exploited by enemy international locations, stated high authorities sources. In his newest video message uploaded on YouTube, for which translation is but to be obtainable, he’s speaking about an Arab Spring-like agitation, they stated. He has repeatedly been making an attempt to persuade supporters to commit self-immolation, much like protests in Tibet, they added.
Purportedly calling for a protest to ship a message to the Centre earlier than the subsequent spherical of talks, Wangchuk stated the Leh Apex Physique (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) ought to write to the central authorities asking if the sixth schedule or statehood will probably be mentioned. If there isn’t a response, it’s implied that the Centre is delaying the matter till the code of conduct for council elections comes into power, he stated. With out the sixth schedule, Ladakhi tribals will probably be a minority like in Tripura, he added.
Watch the video right here (translation to be obtainable shortly):
Wangchuk additional alleged that he’s being harassed as two infrastructure initiatives — a Rs 10-crore one by GAIL and one other Rs 4-crore one by Coal India — had been cancelled as a consequence of authorities strain as they to be undertaken by his establishment, Himalayan Institute of Options, Ladakh (HIAL).
He purportedly urged an agitation on the strains of the “Arab Spring” if the federal government is unwilling to grant the sixth schedule. Within the video, he additionally requested for solutions on a venue for self-immolation or loss of life by starvation strike — proposing the house minister’s residence, Parliament, the UN Workplace in New York as choices.
In response to high authorities sources, nevertheless, Wangchuk’s video message and enchantment present that he’s pissed off as he has failed to impress ABL leaders and others towards the domicile coverage. His messages have turn into more and more provocative over time, the sources stated.
The sources stated he has repeatedly been making an attempt to persuade some supporters to commit self-immolation, much like protests in Tibet. He’s exploiting the management vacuum and positioning himself because the face of the Ladakh agitation after Thustan Tsewang’s resignation, they stated. He’s exploiting Ladakh’s geopolitical location and proximity to hostile borders, and his provocative speeches could also be exploited by enemy international locations, they added.
WHAT ARE THE PROTESTS OVER LADAKH STATEHOOD ISSUE?
A 3-day starvation strike collectively organised by the KDA and LAB in search of statehood and sixth schedule calls for ended with an enormous rally on Monday, with contributors warning to accentuate their agitation if the Centre continues its “delaying ways” to carry recent spherical of talks with them.
Leaders of each the groupings, together with LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay and Wangchuk, KDA co-chairmen Asgar Ali Karbalai and Qamar Ali Akhoon, and Ladakh MP Mohammad Haneefa Jan led from the entrance. Hundreds, together with spiritual leaders and hill council members, marched by the city chanting slogans in favour of statehood, Sixth Schedule, Public Service Fee and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil — the 4 main calls for for which the KDA and the LAB are collectively spearheading the agitation over the previous 4 years and have held a number of rounds of talks with the Excessive Powered Committee (HPC) of ministry of house affairs.
The contributors additionally raised slogans like ‘Hindustan Zindabad’ and ‘Hum bheek nahi apna haq maangte’ (We don’t beg for alms, we demand our rights), following which the leaders of the 2 our bodies addressed the gathering and accused the federal government of forcing them to come back on the roads by delaying the talks.
“It is a historic rally and a strong message that the individuals of Ladakh are united in assist of the 4 calls for. We’ve began the recent protest from Kargil nevertheless it is not going to be restricted to this district alone however will probably be taken to each nook and nook of Ladakh if the federal government doesn’t present its willingness to proceed the dialogue and tackle our issues,” Dorjay stated. “We’re in agitation for a very long time now and if the federal government of India calls off the talks, now we have no choice however to accentuate the battle,” he stated.
Karbalai stated the core group of each teams will meet later within the day to chalk out the longer term plan of action. “We’ve already determined to accentuate our agitation as the federal government had promised to carry the subsequent spherical of talks inside one month after our final assembly in Could. They don’t seem to be displaying seriousness,” he stated.
Group Editor, Investigations & Safety Affairs, Network18
Group Editor, Investigations & Safety Affairs, Network18
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Ladakh, India, India
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