Leh. Social activist Sonam Wangchuk expressed fear of threat to her life at an event organized on the first anniversary of last year's violence in Ladakh. He said he was receiving warnings that he could be killed in the encounter. Wangchuk said that if this happens and it makes the country aware of this issue, then he is ready for this also.
Wangchuk also raised the demand to make public the report of the judicial inquiry into the violence in Ladakh. He said that if the report is not brought forward, steps will be taken to form an independent people's tribunal to investigate the police firing.
Demand for Amit Shah's resignation
In the meeting, Wangchuk demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He raised questions on the government and security system for the violence that took place in Ladakh last year. Wangchuk alleged that automatic weapons were used on local youth during the demonstration.
He also mentioned the questions raised by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on the Ladakh incident and said that he supports the demand for Amit Shah's resignation.
Raised issue of democratic rights
Wangchuk said the people of Ladakh had chosen to live with India because they expected to live a life with democracy and dignity. Expressing concern about the current situation, he said that there is an atmosphere of fear among the people in the area.
Referring to the demands of Ladakh and its relations with the Centre, he also accused the government of going back on its promises. These allegations are part of Wangchuk's political statement.
Questions on security arrangements during the bandh
A shutdown was observed in many areas in Ladakh on September 24, the first anniversary of last year's violence. Wangchuk claimed that relatively few people attended the event due to heavy security arrangements and restrictions. He said that low participation should not be considered a weakness of the movement.
However, Ladakh Police rejected allegations of stopping people from attending the event. Terming such claims as false and misleading, police said there was no ban on people's participation in the prayer meeting organized to pay tribute to those killed in last year's violence.
On September 24 last year, there was violence in Ladakh during protests over various demands including statehood and security under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, in which four people were killed.