In Bilaspur, Wangchuk urges Centre to resume talks with Ladakh leaders

Accompanied by over 100 volunteers, environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk was accorded a warm welcome by various social organisations on his arrival in Bilaspur today. Wangchuk, who has embarked upon the ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’, urged the Central Government to resume the stalled dialogue with the leadership of Ladakh on its four-point agenda.

The ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’ is being organised by the Leh Apex Body along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance in support of their demands, including statehood for Ladakh, extension of the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule, early recruitment with the establishment of a public service commission for Ladakh and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.

Wangchuk said that this was a people’s movement and the government should fulfil the demands of Ladakhis without a second thought. He added, “We share borders with Pakistan and China but I want to tell my country that Indians should be proud of the people of Ladakh who are ready to sacrifice their lives for the nation.”

He said that more people would join his padyatra en route to Delhi via Himachal Pradesh. He added that he was hopeful that the Central Government would fulfil the legitimate demands of Ladakhis.

Bijli Mahant, president of the Ardhnareshwar Social Ogranisation, organised a popular Bilaspuri Dham for the volunteers accompanying Wangchuk. The organisation also gave fruit and other eatables for their onward journey.

‘Delhi chalo yatra’

The ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’ is being organised by the Leh Apex Body along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance in support of their demands, including statehood for Ladakh, extension of the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule, early recruitment with the establishment of a public service commission for Ladakh and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.