On Monday night, Delhi Police detained climate activist Sonam Wangchuk along with his supporters at the Singhu border. The group was attempting to enter the national capital as part of the ‘Delhi Chalo March’ from Ladakh. However, Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNS) has been enforced at the borders of Delhi, according to reports from ANI.
Wangchuk and Supporters Refuse to Turn Back
Despite police requests to disperse, Wangchuk and his supporters expressed their intent to spend the night at the border. A police officer informed ANI that prohibitory orders had been implemented in Delhi, leading to the detention of approximately 120 individuals as they refused to leave.
Wangchuk took to X to share details of his detention, highlighting the presence of elderly participants, some in their eighties, and several Army veterans among the detainees. He wrote, “I AM BEING DETAINED... along with 150 padyatris at Delhi Border, by a police force of hundreds, some say 1,000... We were on a most peaceful march to Bapu's Samadhi... in the largest democracy in the world.”
I AM BEING DETAINED...
along with 150 padyatris
at Delhi Border, by a police force of 100s some say 1,000.
Many elderly men & women in their 80s and few dozen Army veterans...
Our fate is unknown.
We were on a most peaceful march to Bapu’s Samadhi... in the largest democracy… pic.twitter.com/iPZOJE5uuM— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) September 30, 2024
In a video message, Wangchuk noted that while police in Punjab and Haryana had initially escorted the marchers, the atmosphere changed as they approached Delhi, resembling a detention. He also reported significant barricading around Ladakh Bhawan, suggesting that participants were effectively under "house arrest."
Rahul Gandhi Criticizes Detention
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the detention of Wangchuk and his supporters on X, calling it unacceptable He questioned the rationale behind detaining elderly citizens who were advocating for the future of Ladakh, asserting, “Modi ji, as with the farmers, this 'Chakravyuh' will be broken, and so will your arrogance.”
Current Status of Detainees
Reports indicate that Sonam Wangchuk and his supporters are being held at Alipur Police Station and nearby police facilities along the Delhi-Haryana border. A police source mentioned that they would be released after a certain period. Notably, female participants of the march have not been detained.
The ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’ was organized by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) in collaboration with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). For the past four years, these groups have been advocating for statehood, the extension of the Constitution's sixth schedule, a swift recruitment process, a public service commission for Ladakh, and separate Lok Sabha seats for the Leh and Kargil districts.
In response to potential law and order issues, Delhi Police announced a ban on gatherings of five or more individuals, as well as the carrying of banners and placards in central and bordering areas of the capital for the next six days. Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora issued this directive, which will remain in effect until October 5.
PIL filed
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court contesting the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk by Delhi Police during his march to Delhi advocating for Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. The petition, submitted by Haji Mustafa through Advocate Vikram Hegde, also calls for the release of individuals associated with the Kargil Democratic Alliance who were detained at the Singhu Border.
The bench, led by Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, has scheduled the matter for a hearing on October 3, 2024, contingent upon the submission of required documents by 3:30 PM on the preceding Tuesday. Wangchuk, leading the "Delhi Chalo Padyatra," was among around 120 protesters detained on September 30, 2024, during a march organized by the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, which have been advocating for their cause for four years.
Additionally, another plea has been filed requesting permission for peaceful environmental awareness marches in Delhi, seeking to overturn the prohibitory order issued by the Commissioner of Police on the same date, which restricted the marchers' entry and activities.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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