Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and Leh Apex Body (LAB) decided to call off the border march on Sunday, as the Ladakh Lieutenant Governor’s administration stepped up measures to block the proposed event from going forward.
“In view of the (recent) developments and the fact that the whole nation now knows about the reality of our pasture lands at the borders, the leaders of the apex body today decided to call off the Pashmina March on 7th April. The ongoing peaceful fast will however continue. We thank all the leaders and people who came here from different parts of the country,” the LAB and Mr. Wangchuk said in a joint statement on Saturday.
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They said the purpose of the ‘Pashmina March’ was to highlight the plight of the Changpa nomadic tribes who are losing thousands of square kilometres of their land “due to Chinese incursion in the north and our own corporates in the south”.
“This purpose seems already fulfilled even before the march began due to the suppression attempts and over-reaction of the government,” the statement read.
In the past 24 hours, the L-G administration has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in Leh to disallow any assembly without permission, curtailed Internet speed and rounded up supporters of Mr. Wangchuk. “Under these circumstances, chances of violence are very high, which could then be used to label this peaceful movement anti-national,” it added.
Leh turned into a war zone ahead of border march, says Wangchuk
Earlier in the day, Mr. Wangchuk, spearheading a peaceful struggle for Ladakh’s Statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, termed the situation in Leh “grim and fearful”.
“Leh is being turned into a war zone with disproportionate force, barricades, and smoke grenades. There is a lot of fear. The situation could go out of control,” said Mr. Wangchuk, who recently completed a 21-day protest fast.
He accused the Lieutenant Governor’s administration of forcing youth and activists, including singers, to “sign bonds or face arrests”. “There have only been peaceful protests in the past 32 days in Leh. The move to impose Section 144 is only if there is fear of bloodshed. We have been peaceful all along,” he said.
The activist expressed his resentment with the latest government circulars that have directions for teargas shells and smoke grenades to be allotted to security forces in riot gear to stop the march.
“Why is the government shaken by our protests? National security strategists have been highlighting the sensitivity of the region. However, this government neither bothers about national security nor peoples’ interest. Hurting local interests is not in national interest. Our protest is only to remind the government of its promises,” Mr. Wangchuk said.
“The government seems worried only about Ladakh’s effects on their votes and on corporate mining lobbies,” he said.
He urged the supporters across the country to hold protests at their respective places and devote all Sundays to ‘Rashtriya Ke Naam’ to ensure one sees an India that keeps its promise.
