Leh, 11 August (H.S.): Several leaders of Leh Apex Body (LAB) including its co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakrook, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and Ladakh MP Haneefa Jan Mohammad joined the hunger strike on the second-day of the ongoing three-day-long strike here in support of the demand for Statehood to Ladakh and its inclusion in Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Dorjey and Wangchuk reached Kargil amid widespread speculations that they would not be allowed to take part in the protest organized by Kargil Development Authority (KDA) and might be arrested.
“I was determined to join the protest to highlight the demand of the people of Ladakh. There were rumours about our possible arrest but I never took them seriously. I have never done anything wrong and have always served the people and the nation,” Wangchuk told reporters.
Earlier, addressing the gathering, the climate activist said he wanted to tell Lt Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta that the people of the region are not cowards but “we are peace-loving and believe in talks. I am not afraid of jail.”
At the venue of the hunger strike, co-chairman of KDA Asgar Ali Karbalai, along with other members, including Member of Parliament Mohammad Haneefa, warned of serious consequences if local authorities attempt to stop their guests from participating.
The protest began on Saturday and will conclude on Monday evening.
“As you know, we are engaged in a three-day hunger strike organized jointly by the KDA and LAB in support of our four demands, particularly Statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to the region. We have heard that the administration may use dubious tactics to prevent our guests from reaching the protest. We want to emphasize that the local administration will bear the responsibility for any consequences stemming from such actions,” Karbalai remarked.
MP Haneefa, who also joined the protest here today, said the people of Ladakh are peacefully agitating for their demands, and have been forced to go on a hunger strike due to the delaying tactics adopted by the Centre in scheduling fresh talks.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar