‘I’ll stay in jail till there’s justice’: Sonam Wangchuk’s message from behind bars; calls for non-violent struggle | India News

File picture: Jailed local weather activist Sonam Wangchuk (PTI)

SRINAGAR/JAIPUR: Jailed local weather activist Sonam Wangchuk has demanded an unbiased judicial inquiry into the September 24 firing in Leh, which left 4 folks lifeless and over 70 wounded, and mentioned he was ready to stay in jail till the probe is carried out.In his first message from Jodhpur central jail, Wangchuk appealed to the folks of Ladakh to keep up peace and unity whereas persevering with their battle for statehood and Sixth Schedule standing “in the true Gandhian way of non-violence”.“I stand firmly with Apex Body Leh, Kargil Democratic Alliance, and the people of Ladakh in our genuine constitutional demand for Sixth Schedule and statehood,” Wangchuk mentioned in the message relayed by Mustafa Haji, authorized advisor to the apex physique. “Whatever actions Apex Body Leh takes in the interest of Ladakh, I am with them wholeheartedly.”Haji and Wangchuk’s elder brother Ka Tsetan Dorjey Ley met him at Jodhpur jail Saturday. Haji posted Sunday the activist’s message on X and Facebook, quoting Wangchuk as saying he was “doing well, both physically and mentally” and thanking supporters for their concern and prayers. He expressed condolences to the households of these killed and mentioned his “prayers are with those wounded and arrested”.Wangchuk was taken into custody on September 26 underneath NSA, two days after protests in Leh turned violent. Police and paramilitary forces fired at demonstrators demanding Ladakh’s inclusion underneath Sixth Schedule and restoration of statehood.Supreme Court is scheduled to listen to Monday a petition filed by Wangchuk’s spouse Gitanjali J Angmo difficult his arrest underneath NSA and searching for his quick launch.The unrest got here amid Wangchuk’s starvation strike, launched on Sept 10 to press for these calls for. The clashes and deadly firing on Sept 24 prompted Wangchuk to name off his quick.Union dwelling ministry had earlier introduced that the following spherical of talks with Ladakh representatives could be held on October 6, however each ABL and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) withdrew after the killings, insisting that dialogue may resume solely after a judicial probe into the firing and the discharge of these arrested, together with Wangchuk.While the UT administration in Ladakh has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the Leh violence, ABL and KDA have rejected it, reiterating their demand for a judicial probe by a retired Supreme Court choose earlier than returning to talks.