Congress leader Shama Mohamed terms Wangchuk's arrest "unfair, undemocratic", seeks his release

New Delhi [India], September 27 (ANI): Congress leader Shama Mohamed on Saturday condemned arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) and demanded his release.

Speaking to ANI, Shama Mohamed, who is a Congress spokesperson, said that Wangchuk’s arrest “is unfair and undemocratic”.

“In democracy if people protest, you do not put National Security Act. The arrest of Sonam Wangchuk is unfair and undemocratic. They (the central government) promised them (the people of Ladakh) in the last panchayat elections about the 6th Schedule. Now they cannot keep it, and they want to convince the people that they are good, they arrest the person who was initially with them when Ladakh was made into a UT,” the Congress leader said.

“The Indian government claims the protests are pre-planned. Why didn’t the intelligence pick up despite the fact that Ladakh is a high-intelligence zone? What is that man called Ajit Doval doing? It is time he should resign, and Sonam Wangchuk should be released at the earliest. We fully condemn his arrest,” she added.

Director General of Police (DGP) Ladakh SD Singh Jamwal said that provocative speeches were made by “so-called environmental activists”, leading to the violence on September 24 in the Union Territory.

Addressing a press conference in Leh, the senior police official alleged that there was attempt to sabotage the talks process.

“An unfortunate incident occurred on September 24. Four lives were lost, and a large number of civilians, police officers and paramilitary officers were injured. There were attempts to sabotage these ongoing processes (talks with Centre). This involved some so-called environmental activists; there is a question mark on their credibility as well. They tried to hijack the platform, and the prime name here is Sonam Wangchuk, who has earlier also delivered such statements and worked to derail the process,” he said.

“The dates for the high power committee meeting on October 6 and preliminary meetings on September 25-26 were announced, but on September 10, a hunger strike was made the platform for such elements to hamper the peace. In the run-up to the talks, there was an increase in speeches and videos, which we believe were dangerous for the law and order situation. We also registered FIRs,” he added.

The DGP said that the CRPF officers were beaten up, and at least three women police officers were also stuck in the building that was burnt.

“Surprisingly, on September 24, a large group of people gathered. There were anti-social elements present there. Five thousand to six thousand people damaged government buildings and offices of political parties, pelted stones. Our officers in those buildings were also attacked. An office of a political party was burned, and CRPF officers were beaten up. One of the officers is seriously injured and admitted to the hospital. Three or four women police officers were also stuck in the building,” he said.

Wangchuk has been lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail following his detention under the provisions of the National Security Act (NSA), officials said. He was taken to Jodhpur Central Jail last night after his arrest in Ladakh on Friday. (ANI)

Source

The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.