Leh- Sonam Wangchuk has ended her 15-day hunger strike after clashes broke out between police and protesters during the shutdown here. However, four people have died during this clash.
Wangchuk told her supporters who gathered in large numbers at the strike site, “I request the youth of Ladakh to immediately stop the violence as it only harms our cause and worsens the situation. We do not want instability in Ladakh and the country.”
Let us tell you that the annual Ladakh festival was cancelled due to the violence. Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta was to attend the closing ceremony of this festival that began here. The administration had announced the cancellation of the last day and closing ceremony of the ongoing Ladakh Festival due to unforeseen circumstances.
The Information and Public Relations Department said in a statement, “The administration deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to all stakeholders including local artists, cultural groups, tourists and people of Ladakh, who were eagerly waiting for this event.”
The administration appealed to the public for cooperation and expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and participation in the festival.
Violent protests broke out in Leh district of Ladakh on Wednesday morning after the health of two people supporting educationist Sonam Wangchuk’s 35-day hunger strike deteriorated. Educationist Sonam Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for the past 35 days demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule.
The youth of Leh had decided to come together and protest against the central government for not giving ‘rights to Ladakh’. However, the protest soon turned violent. The youths had tried to attack the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council building in Leh.
The police stopped them from entering, after which they started pelting stones at the building and police personnel posted nearby. Some vehicles were also set on fire, due to which the police had to fire tear gas shells at the protesters. The police also resorted to lathicharge.
Sonam Wangchuk is on a 35-day hunger strike demanding statehood for the Union Territory and the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The central government has been in talks with representatives of Ladakh, including the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, for the last three years.