National desk
21 October
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk and his colleagues ended their indefinite hunger strike today after receiving assurances from the Union Home Ministry. The activists were protesting at Delhi’s Ladakh Bhavan since October 6, seeking attention for Ladakh’s demands related to environmental and developmental concerns.
Prashant Lokhande, Joint Secretary (Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh), met with Wangchuk and the other activists, delivering a letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The letter stated that the high-powered committee, responsible for discussing Ladakh’s issues, will hold its next meeting on December 3.
The hunger strike was aimed at pressuring the government to take action on various demands from Ladakh, including environmental protection and greater autonomy. Wangchuk and his colleagues welcomed the government’s assurance and called off their protest.
The activists have expressed hope that the upcoming discussions will address their concerns and lead to meaningful outcomes for the people of Ladakh. The resumption of talks in December is seen as a critical step in resolving the ongoing issues in the region.
This marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to address Ladakh’s unique challenges.