Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk withdraws border march call in Leh

Kargil, Apr 6: Renowned environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk and Apex Body Leh have withdrawn the proposed Pashmina March for April 7 amid the imposition of Section 144 CrPC and restrictions on high speed internet data services in Ladakh by the administration apparently to thwart the march.

Talking to media persons in Leh, Sonam Wangchuk who was flanked by Apex Body Leh co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakruk announced that in view of the situation arisen and to maintain peace and harmony in Ladakh they have withdraw the Pashmina march scheduled on April 7. He said that their message what they want to convey has reached to every citizen of country. The Apex Body Leh and renowned environmental activist had announced the ”border (Pashmina) march” to Changthang to highlight the condition of grazers, who are allegedly losing prime pasture land to huge industrial plants to the south. The Apex Body, along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), is spearheading the agitation to demand Statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Kargil Democratic Alliance has also condemned the restrictions imposed by the administration over the Pashmina march.

Sonam Wangchuk said that during last 31 days they have holding the peaceful protest demonstration and not even a minor incident of law and order problem arisen, however the imposition of Section 144 CrPC by authorities is over reaction. "We wanted to those areas and meet farmers and how they are facing inconvenience while going to their pastures,” adding that it was a peaceful program which has been stopped by the authorities, " Wangchuk told media persons in Leh. He said they have already achieved their objective of creating awareness among the people of the country about the plight of farmers. They said the farmers are losing prime pasture land to huge industrial plants in the south and “Chinese encroachments” in the north.

Apex Body Leh said said they will continue their peaceful peaceful agitation in support of their various demands, especially statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the sixth schedule of the Constitution.