Activist Sonam Wangchuk hailed the revocation of his detention under the National Security Act as a positive step towards rebuilding trust between the government and the people of Ladakh.
Photo : PTI
Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Tuesday described the revocation of his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) as a “win-win” outcome and said the Centre had extended a hand to build trust and enable meaningful dialogue with the people of Ladakh. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi alongside his wife and HIAL co-founder Gitanjali J Angmo, Wangchuk said the protests in Ladakh have focused on initiating a constructive dialogue with the government. “We were sure of a victory in the court, but a win was not enough. I wanted a win-win,” he said.
He called the government’s decision an effort to rebuild trust and move toward a solution through talks.
“They have offered a constructive, meaningful dialogue. This is what we have wanted, and we had to struggle so much, walk to Delhi, sit on ‘anshan’ (fast). All movements in Ladakh are for starting the dialogue process,” he said.
“Usually, you see people picking up guns and the government appealing for dialogue. Here, people are urging the government to start a dialogue,” he added.
Asked about his next steps, Wangchuk said he would return to Ladakh and consult leaders of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which have led protests over the past five years. The groups are demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
On whether he would resume agitation, Wangchuk said he preferred dialogue over protest.
“I have always said I don’t want to sit on hunger strike; I am forced to do it. Now that the government is extending its hand, we hope a good example is set,” he said.
Wangchuk, 59, had been detained on September 26 last year under the stringent NSA, two days after violent protests during the agitation left four people dead. He was released from Jodhpur Central Jail on Saturday after the Union government revoked his detention.
