Gadchiroli Oct. 17 (District Correspondent) The social organizations of the district have demanded that the President of India should intervene to restore the autonomous democratic system in the Union Territory of Leh-Ladakh and ensure the participation of the local people. It has also demanded the early release of social activist Sonum Wangchuck and a peaceful solution to the issue by holding a dialogue between the representatives of the Ladakh agitation and the Central Government.
A delegation of these organizations met the RDC and submitted him a memorandum in this regard on Thursday.
After the bifurcation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir on 31 October 2019, Leh-Ladakh was declared a Union Territory. The citizens there are struggling for the basic demands of self-governance, environmental protection, representation of the locals in employment and participation in democracy. Although this agitation has been going on since 2021 in a completely peaceful manner, no positive stand has been taken by the Central Government yet, it was pointed out.
Therefore, the hunger strike was started from 10 September 2025. However, on 24 September 2025, a large number of people gathered in Leh, which led to the situation becoming tense. At that time, 4 agitators were killed and more than 50 were injured in the clashes. After this unfortunate incident, Sonam Wangchuk, who appealed for peace and led the agitation, was detained under the National Security Act (NSA).
Sonam Wangchuk is a soldier, student, youth working in the border areas of the country and is constantly working for the conservation of the environment in the Himalayan region. Therefore, the delegation requested the President of India to take the initiative to release him and initiate a dialogue between the government and the agitators to restore peace and democracy in Leh-Ladakh.
Ms. Kusum Alam of Adiwasi Vikas Parishad, Mr. Vilas Niborkar, Haridas Kotrange of Jan Adhikar Manch, Jyoti Meshram, Archan Janganwar of Mahila Rajsatta Andolan, Sudha Chaudhari, Sonu Alam of Adiwasi Samanway Manch were present in the delegation.
