Sonam Wangchuk detainedagain after release,indefinite fast continues

 

 

 

CLIMATE activist Sonam Wangchuk and 150 other protesters from Ladakh who are underdetentiononWednesday continued theirindefinite fast, saying they find their rights “trampled upon” on Gandhi Jayanti, a day that symbolises peace and democracy. Wangchukwasleading‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’, which began from Leh a month ago. They were detained on Monday night.Ina statementissued on Wednesday morning, Jigmat Paljor,CoordinatorApexBody, said their detention, which is continuing for over 24 hours, is illegal.

 

“We,the‘padyatris’,findourselvesin an alarmingsituation. Wehavebeendetained forover 24 hours.This detentionisillegal, as the 24-hour period has elapsed, and we must be produced beforeamagistrate,” Paljor said. “Some groups have been released after just under 24 hours, only to be returned to the police station. Last night, thepoliceattempted toforcibly relocateus toanunknownlocation, but we stood our ground in resistance,” he added. “Our phones have been confiscated at the Bawana Police Station, leaving us cut off from the outside world,” Paljor said in the statement. Delhi Police, however, said that the ‘padyatris’ were released last night and detained again.

 

Wangchuk and other detained Ladakhis were allowed to go onTuesdaynight but they were adamant to march towards thecentralpart of Delhi, therefore, they were detained again, a senior police officer told PTI. The ‘padyatris’, who started from Leh on September 1, marched all the way, except upon entering poll bound Haryana where they boarded buses. They were detained at Delhi’s Singhu border on Mondaynight and taken todifferent police stations, where they started an indefinite fast.