Kargil, Nov 14 (PTI) Ladakh MP Hanifa Jan, along with leaders of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), led a march here to express solidarity with the Leh Apex Body (LAB), including its member Sonam Wangchuk, over their demand for the deferment of the December 4 hill council elections.
A day after police removed activist Wangchuk from a protest site in Leh and escorted him to his residence, the activist on Thursday claimed that he had been placed under house arrest.
LAB and KDA have expressed resentment over the holding of hill council elections on December 4, citing harsh winter conditions and large-scale seasonal migration.
Holding candles, the protesters held a “Save Democracy” march in Kargil district headquarters on Saturday. MP Hanifa Jan, along with KDA leaders including its co-chairmen Asgar Ali Karbalai and Sajjad Kargili, led the march with protesters chanting slogans in support of the demand for Wangchuk's "release".
They extended solidarity to the people who have been holding protests under the banner of LAB for the past three days, seeking postponement of polls.
LAB and KDA have been jointly engaged in a struggle for several years over the statehood issue and have been holding dialogue with the central government in support of an elected government and constitutional safeguards.
"Leh Apex Body has launched a sit-in protest in Leh over its six-point agenda...We are holding this march in Kargil in support of the agitation and to condemn the house arrest of Wangchuk, which is seen as an attempt to silence dissent," the Ladakh MP told PTI.
For the past six years, he said the LAB and KDA have been struggling for democratic rights and constitutional safeguards in Ladakh.
Despite repeated protests, demonstrations and discussions, little progress has been made, Jan said and alleged that decisions concerning elections and delimitation were being imposed by the Lt Governor administration without consulting the people, prompting widespread resentment across the region.
He said the people of Ladakh, known for their peaceful nature, are now being compelled to take to the streets.
"We urge the government and UT administration to take cognisance of the growing public anger, restore democracy in Ladakh in accordance with the people's aspirations, and respect their democratic rights. Otherwise, this agitation will spread to every corner of Ladakh," the MP said.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)