Wangchuk escorted home amid protests over winter elections. (Img: IANS)
Leh: Police removed Leh Apex Body member and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site and escorted him to his residence.
Wangchuk was with leaders of the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) protesting against the decision to hold hill council elections on December 4.
Protestors say that the harsh winter conditions and migration of around 25% would affect the polling.
A police statement said, “In compliance with the prohibitory orders issued by the Chief Electoral Officer, UT Ladakh, and the District Magistrate, Leh, regulating public rallies, protests and other public gatherings within the limits of Leh Municipality in view of the ongoing election exercise, Ladakh Police has today taken preventive action by removing Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site and escorting him to his residence.”
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“Sonam Wangchuk has been advised to stay at his residence. The action has been taken in exercise of the powers vested in the competent authority under the prevailing prohibitory orders, with the objective of preventing any potential breach of public order and maintaining peace and tranquillity,” it added.
“The general public is advised to strictly adhere to the prohibitory orders in view of the Panchayat, Municipal and LAHDC elections in Ladakh and refrain from any activity that may disturb public peace and law-and-order,” the statement said.
Due to the scheduled municipal and hill council polls on November 23 and December 4, in the municipal limits of Leh and Kargil respectively, the Ladakh administration imposed a complete ban on protests and demonstrations in the area.
Ladakhi leaders, including Wangchuk, said it is unprecedented in Ladakh's history to conduct an election in harsh winter when around 25% of Ladakhis are out of the region.
“Ladakh is known as the world's coldest inhabited place. The weather forecast for December indicates snowfall. How will elections be conducted in such conditions? Half of the population is outside Ladakh, while students are already studying in different cities. When Leh, Kargil and other areas are nearly empty, why are you holding elections?” Wangchuk said on Wednesday.
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The region’s State Election Commission (SEC) announced elections for the eight autonomous hill development councils (LAHDC) in the Union Territory on Tuesday, with polling scheduled to be held on December 4.
