New Delhi: The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on Tuesday announced that it will boycott talks with the Centre until climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and others detained in Leh are released and a judicial probe is ordered into last week’s police firing.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai said the alliance would not resume dialogue until “all arrests are stopped, those already in custody are freed, and a judicial inquiry is instituted.” He also rejected allegations made by the Union Territory administration and the Union Home Ministry.
“Sonam Wangchuk, who is a hero of the country, should be immediately released. We dismiss all allegations against him,” Karbalai said. He condemned attempts to label Ladakhis as “anti-national,” stressing, “We have sacrificed our lives for the nation. We don’t need certificates from anyone.”
Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa echoed the sentiment, saying people were deeply hurt by such denunciatory remarks.
The KDA, representing leaders from Kargil district, has been negotiating alongside the Leh Apex Body (LAB) with the Centre for statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule. On Monday, LAB leaders Thupstan Chhewang and Chering Dorjay had also suspended talks until a judicial inquiry is announced and all detainees, including Wangchuk, are released.
Tensions in Ladakh escalated after four people were killed and scores injured during clashes between protesters and security forces on September 24, when a shutdown call in Leh turned violent. More than 50 people were arrested for alleged rioting, while Wangchuk was booked under the National Security Act (NSA) and shifted to a jail in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur.
