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Sonam Wangchuk Warns of Encounter After Ladakh Violence Anniversary
Sonam Wangchuk is an activist from Ladakh.
He says the government may arrest or kill him after he criticized its handling of Ladakh.
He described last year’s violence in Leh as planned.
He also said there were attempts to make Muslims and Buddhists blame each other.
Four people, including a former war hero, died during security-force firing at protests.
Hundreds of people gathered to remember them on the anniversary.
Wangchuk wants the investigation into the violence to be made public.
He also says the government failed to keep promises about greater political protections and statehood for Ladakh.
Sonam Wangchuk said he fears authorities may kill him in an encounter after speaking about Ladakh.
He accused the Centre and Home Minister Amit Shah of mistreating Ladakh and abandoning promises of statehood and Sixth Schedule status.
Wangchuk alleged that last year’s violence in Leh was orchestrated and included attempts to trigger communal conflict between Muslims and Buddhists.
Hundreds gathered in Ladakh to remember four people, including a former war hero, killed during security-force firing at protests.
The Ladakh lieutenant governor withdrew cases against protesters accused of rioting, attacking security forces and damaging government property.
- Who
- Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, Ladakh residents, security forces and government officials are involved.
- What
- Wangchuk alleged government mistreatment, a conspiracy behind last year’s Leh violence and possible threats to his life.
- Where
- The events and protests took place in Ladakh, particularly in Leh; Wangchuk also referred to his protests in Delhi.
- When
- The comments were made on Thursday, the first anniversary of the September 24 violence.
- Why
- Wangchuk said the Centre had broken promises concerning Ladakh’s Sixth Schedule status and statehood, and demanded accountability for the violence.
Key facts
- Main speaker
- Sonam Wangchuk, a climate activist
- Incident commemorated
- Violence and civilian killings in Leh on September 24 last year
- Deaths
- Four people, including a former war hero, were killed during security-force firing
- Wangchuk’s allegation
- He said the violence was orchestrated and involved attempts to provoke communal riots
- Investigation demand
- Wangchuk called for the inquiry report to be made public
- Government demand
- He demanded Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation and accountability
- Legal development
- The Ladakh lieutenant governor withdrew cases against protesters accused in the unrest
Quotes
Sonam Wangchuk
Climate activist and Ladakh campaigner
“There have been attempts to cause communal riots between Muslims and Buddhists in Ladakh. As part of such attempts, three Muslim officers were deployed as magistrates (on September 24) so that they could issue the firing orders and Buddhists would blame Muslims for killing them. But see greatness of those officers, they refused to issue firing orders”
NDTV
“I know after speaking today, they (government) will suppress me, they have done it before. I was sent to jail. Now, only an encounter is left. It's my wish that they kill me in an encounter. Experts tell me your encounter will happen. Let it happen so that the nation awakens”
NDTV
Sources
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