New Delhi: Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is currently in jai following September 25 violence in Ladakh that claimed four lives, has urged people of Ladakh to continue their struggle peacefully, NDTV reported.
Wangchuk , arrested under the National Security Act, called for people to struggle for statehood in the ‘true Gandhian way of non-violence’, according to a statement shared by his lawyer.
It is reported that Wangchuk’s elder brother, Ka Tsetan Dorjey Ley, and his lawyer, Mustafa Haji met the activist at the Jodhpur prison.
The activist’s statement shared by his lawyer said ‘I am doing well, both physically and mentally, and thank everyone for their concern and prayers’, and expressed ‘condolences’ to the families of those who died during the unrest.
Wangchuk called for ‘an independent judicial inquiry into the killing of our four people, and unless that is done, I am prepared to stay in jail.’
Without backing away from the demand for statehood he said: ‘I stand firmly with Apex Body and the KDA and the people of Ladakh in our genuine constitutional demand for the Sixth Schedule and statehood, and whatever actions Apex Body takes in the interest of Ladakh, I am with them wholeheartedly. I appeal to people to keep peace and unity and continue with our struggle peacefully - in the true Gandhian way of non-violence’.
Wangchuk , who won the Ramon Magsaysay Award, was arrested after protesters clashed with security forces in Ladakh leading to the death of four including a soldier.
Ladakh, previously a part of the Jammu and Kashmir state, became a Union Territory in 2019 when the Centre revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status.